HOUGH TAKES 6 FOR 53

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28784, 3 January 1959, Page 12

HOUGH TAKES 6 FOR 53

Otago Behind On First Innings (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 2. With its bowling attack resting on the ample shoulders of the 17-stone K. W. Hough," Auckland dismissed Otago, the Plunket Shield holder, for 171 runs at Eden Park today and thus won a lead of 58 runs • on the first innings. The Auckland second innings, which was substantially interrupted by annoying light rain, had realised 43 runs for the loss of G. O. Rabone’s wicket at stumps. Auckland now has a lead of 101 runs with nine wickets intact and, barring a batting collapse tomorrow, seems assured of taking first innings honours and five points for the match. If this should happen, Otago, which is now equal first with Auckland in the competition' with 20 points, would gain only one point. The light drizzle permitted only 38 minutes play between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Hough, in an outstanding bowling effort, took six wickets for 53 runs from 43 overs. 17 of which were maidens. There was little to suggest Hough’s magnificent performance, or the rain to come, when B Sutcliffe (11) and A. E. Dick (9) resumed Otago’s innings at 70 for three wickets this morning.

The score moved along quietly to 100 in 170 minutes and neither batsman seemed in serious trouble on the easy paced pitcn. Then Hough suddenly caught I}ick in front with a quicker ball and Otago was 101 for four. Sutcliffe Stumped Hough allowed Sutcliffe few chances to drive and most of his runs came from one's and two’s on the leg side. Sparling’s spinners maintained the pressure on Sutcliffe’s defence, while his partner. N. Thompson, was almost strokeless.

For an hour Sparling sparred with Sutcliffe and then he won. Sutcliffe was twice beaten off the pitch in one over. In the next over Sparling drew Kim forward for the drive. Sutcliffe swung over the ball and A. Ritchie swepi away the bails. Soon afterwards, 121 for five became 127 for six when Thompson, after a patient hour which gave him only two scoring shots, went leg-before to the persistent Hough. After lunch, Moir and J. C. Alabaster, the two international bowlers, began to fight back, Sparling had difficulty in controlling the slippery ball. The partnership was worth only 16 runs and the total 162 when Moir hit Hough into the covers and the batsmen gambled, against Sparling’s swift throw. Sparling won and Alabaster was run out. This was the last of the serious resistance.

With a lead of 58 runs, the Auckland openers, Rabone and R. M. Harris, started efficiently. In 35 minutes, Auckland was 27 without loss. Then came heavier rain and the players quit the field from 3 p.m. to 5.22 p.m. when the match was resumed before only a handful of damp spectators. . Clark trapped Rabone leg-before in the last over of the afternoon. Scores:

AUCKLAND First innings .J» 229 Second Innings G O. Rabone, lbw, b Clark 29 R. M. Harris, not out .. 13 Extras Total for one wicket . 43 Fall of wicket: one for 43. Bowling O M. R. W F J. Cameron 11 4 17 0 L. A. Clark .. 10.4 1 .25 1 OTAGO First Innings J. R. Veitch, b Sutton .. 10 S. McKnight, b Hough 14 S. N McGregor, b Hough A. E. Dick, lbw, b Hough 14 19 B Sutcliffe, st Ritchie, b pari ing 45 N Thompson, lbw, b Hough L. A. Clark, lbw, b Hough 12 A. M. Moir, c Sparling, b Hough 21 J C. Alabaster, run out 6 M. Edmonds, not out .. F J Cameron. c Ritchie, Sparling 1 Extras 23 Total 171 Fall of wickets: one for 2 , two for 39. three for 50. four for 101, five for 121, six tor 127, seven eight for 162. nine for 169. for 146. Bowling O. M. R. W. R. Sutton .. 15 6 26 1 K. W. Hough .. 43 17 T. S. Hambrook 7 6 53 2 6 0 J. T. Sparling 38.5 12 60 2 G. O. Rabone ..2 0 7 &