Auckland Makes Slow Progress, 291 For 5

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 14

Auckland Makes Slow Progress, 291 For 5

(New Zealand Press Association)

HAMILTON, December 27.

Although its 291 for five wickets put it in a strong position at the end of its first day’s play in a Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts at Hamilton on Saturday, Auckland could easily have had considerable more runs on the board.

It was a disappointing total from 150 overs in 390 minutes’ batting under favourable conditions. The Northern Districts’ attack generally was only moderate.

It it had not been for 64 runs added by H. T. Schuster and S. B. Speed in an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership in 68 minutes at the end of the day, Auckland’s output would have been extremely unsatisfactory. However, there were redeeming features. No charge of lack of enterprise could be laid against R. W. Morgan, who batted forcefully for 80 in 164 minutes.

He struck an unproductive patch in half-an-hour before the tea adjournment when he scored only six runs but generally he was looking for runs.

Just before his dismissal Morgan unleashed an attack on the off-spinner, N. Puna, and hit him for two fours

and a two in four balls. That was unusual treatment for Puna, who gave a grand display of wellcontrolled off-spin on an unresponsive pitch. He bowled 50 overs at a eost of 88 runs and took the wickets of S. G. Gedye and J. T. Sparling. With a little luck Puna could have had one or two more wickets.

Auckland’s other leading batsman was T. W. Jarvis, who marked his first-class debut with a sterling 88. He was a mass of concentration and at times unleashed scorching drives. When the bowlers must almost have been despairing of removing him he was run out by a smart return by J. W. Guy. Scoreboard:— AUCKLAND First innings S. G. Gedys, c Pairaudeau, b Puna .. 17 T. W. Jarvis, run out ~ 83 J. T. Sparling, c Pairaudeau, b Puna .. 21 R. W. Morgan, lbw. b McFarlane .. 80 P. B. McGregor, b Langdon 18 H. T. Schuster, not out .. 28 S. R. Speed, not out .. 34 Extras (b. 4, l.b. 1) .. 5 Total (for live wickets) 291 Fall of wickets: one for 39, two for 84, three for 161, four for 207, five for 227. Bowling

. . 0. M. R. W. McFarlane . 20 8 43 1 Langdon .15 6 31 1 Puna . 50 18 - 88 2 Beard .. 30 8 57 0 Penhearow . 24 8 47 0 Bradburn . 8 3 14 0 Sutcliffe .. 3 1 * o