WELLINGTON HAS PACE IN DEPTH

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33110, 28 December 1972, Page 16

WELLINGTON HAS PACE IN DEPTH

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. Wellington has the chance to take a solid lead in the Plunket Shield series when it begins its second-round match against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve today.

In Wellington’s favour is the weaknesses anil inexperience of Northern batsmen against the pace bowlers found in great depth in the Wellington side. The internationals, B. R. Taylor and R. O. Collinge, and W. D. Greenstreet and A. R. Hounsell, will share the attack. PAST RECORDS

Taylor and Collinge began the season in rampant fashion against Auckland, while Greenstreet, with his deceptive pace and ability to cut the ball, has had exceptional returns in his three

previous games against Northern. But the factor which most suggests Wellington winning is the record book. Of the 16 matches played by the two sides since Northern was admitted to the shield competition in 1956-57, Wellington has won 13 outright, taken first innings points in two others, and only once, in 1959-60, when it conceded first innings points in a drawn game, has it been at a disadvantge. In spite of the ease of the win over Auckland, there are still areas of concern for Wellington. The chief among these is the batting which, though good enough to head Auckland’s two paltry totals, was lack-lustre and stodgy.

But there should be some improvement with B. A. G. Murray coming into the team and P. Maicon probably dropping to twelfth man.