C. D. contained

Press, 18 December 1976, Page 56

C. D. contained

PA Wellington! The long-limbed Ewen: Chatfield yesterday re-estab-lished himself as Wellington’s principal medium-fasti bowler. After an indifferent start, Chatfield returned the splendid figures of seven, wickets for 72 against Central Districts on the opening day of the Shell match at the Basin Reserve. Stew Cater had appeared on the verge of assuming; Chatfield’s mantle. Cater was given the honour of opening: the bowling with the aid of a gusting northerly wind. By the end of the Central; first innings, though, there was no doubt that Chatfield: will be Wellington’s chief at-! tacking weapon this season. Winning the toss and deciding to bat. Central Dis-'

itricts made hard work of reaching 216 for nine wickets in its regulation 75 ' overs, a miserable rate of 2.8 runs an over. In 64 minutes to stumps > Wellington replied with 50j runs from 13 overs. Once given the opportun-; iity to perform with the! wind, Chatfield, 26, looked al much more lively proposi-l 'tion. His line and length gradually improved, and he was able to get the odd ball to ilift sharply at the Central j batsmen. Chatfield claimed the first ’two Central scalps, Grahamj [■Edwards and Dave Neal, and si in mid-afternoon cut through lithe middle order, removing) Ross Ormiston, Doug Brace-: (well and David O’Sullivan ■| within the space of 'our; • runs. I