Otago pair’s superb form

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33121, 11 January 1973, Page 16

Otago pair’s superb form

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN.

Magnificent batting by the Otago internationals, G. M. Turner and B. E. Congdon, both of whom scored centuries in a partnership of 213 runs, provided a major set-back yesterday to Wellington’s hopes of winning the Plunket Shield.

Turner made 131 (a 6 and 16 4s) and was third man out when the total had reached 258, after Otago lost its first two wickets for 45.

Congdon was unbeaten on 173 (three sixes and 20 fours) when G. D. Alabaster declared at 338 for five.

Otago took a lead of 16; i runs on the first innings, Wellington having declared on the first day at 322 for six, and when bad light stopped play 20 minutes early, Wellington was two without loss. ! Now Wellington must (score runs quickly today and then attempt to dismiss Otago —all within the space lof a few hours on a pitch still full of runs.

The hurdle for Wellington must be a daunting one, particularly in view of the great batting produced by Turner and Congdon, who added 213 I runs for the third wicket, and the fact that B. R. Taylor will not be bowling. His presence was missed in Wellington’s attack yesterday. Wellington’s hopes had risen in the first 40 minutes when W. L. Blair and R. W. ' Anderson were dismissed cheaply, but these were to be the side’s last successes for a long time. Slow to start Turner and Congdon were a little slow in the early stages of their batting, and at lunch had taken the score through to 106 for two. Turner was on 61, his 50 having come up in 167 minutes, and Congdon was 28.

From lunch until Turner was dismissed, caught and bowled by Hounsell soon after the second new ball was taken, the two Otago batsmen showed complete mastery over the Wellington bowling. J. F. M. Morrison, who captained the team in the absence of Taylor, rang the bowling changes frequently, using seven men in his efforts to break the partnership. But it was to no avail. Gave one chance

Turner went through to his century after 257 minutes, Congdon reached his halfcentury in 156 minutes and then he went on to score his second 50 in just over an hour, and they brought up their 200 partnership in 225 minutes.

In all, Turner batted for 318 minutes. He gave only one chance, a particularly difficult one off Hounsell when he was 29.

After tea, Congdon raced the score along, straightdriving W. A. Greenstreet for a six, hooking him for another, and then just missing a third, all in the one over. His new partner, K. O. Campbell, i was magnificently caught by 'Morrison at deep point for j 16. and 10 minutes later Alabaster closed the innings. WELLINGTON : First innings (for 6 dec.) .. 322' Second innings G. A. Newdick not out 1, B. A. G. Murray not out .. 1|

OTAGO First innings G. M. Turner c and b Hounsell 131 W. L. Blair c Therkelson b Hounsell 8 R. W. Anderson c sub (Maicon) b Collinge 7 B E. Congdon not out 173 K. O. Campbell c Morrison b Hounsell . 16 N. McKenzie b Hounsell .. 0 W. K Lees not out 0 Extras (bye 1. no-balls 2) 3 Total for 5 wkts dec. 338 Fall of wickets: one for 31. two for 45. three for 258, four for 325. five for 337. Bowling

Total for no wicket . 2 Bowling 0 M. R. W. Andrews ..202 0 Powell .110 0

O. M. R. W Collinge . . 22 2 72 1 Hounse’l . . 23 4 76 4 Greenstreet . . 18 4 75 0 Murray 6 1 25 0 Morrison 4 1 20 0 Coney 6 0 39 0 Smith .. 5 0 28 0