Outcome is crucial for Canty, Otago

Press, 18 January 1986, Page 80

Outcome is crucial for Canty, Otago

By

JOHN COFFEY

Warren Lees, the Otago cricket captain, is prepared to “gamble a bit” in the match against Canterbury if he feels such methods are needed to retain his team’s narrow lead in the Shell Trophy competition. With 36 points from the first three rounds, Otago begins its match at Lancaster Park today acutely aware that the more favoured Auckland (32) and Wellington (30) sides are meeting at Eden Park. If Otago can reap full points from Canterbury, and Auckland and Wellington become involved in an extended tussle for first innings points, then the southerners will enjoy a comfortable advantage midway through the trophy series.

Canterbury has an even more urgent need for an outright victory. Although in fourth place, and having headed two of its three earlier rivals on the first innings, Canterbury has drifted 28 points behind the front-running Otago XI. For much of Thursday afternoon, Otago was poised to open a significant gap between itself and its closest pursuers. Otago had already beaten Northern Districts at Alexandra, and both Auckland and Wellington were far from dominant in their home fixtures.

Lees, however, was philosophical that the eventual results at Lower Hutt and Auckland were not favourable to Otago’s cause. “We have not been thinking too much about what the other teams have been doing,” said Lees. “But I would hate to think anyone has been given outright wins — if, for example, Canterbury just kept slogging against Wellington right to the finish. Why give victory away?" he asked. Lees had the satisfaction of Otago beating Northern after he had declared four runs ahead. Ken Rutherford, who scored his second century of the match and third in five trophy innings this summer, and Stu McCullum ensured Otago had 10 wick-

ets and plenty of time to spare. Otago has surprised its opponents by leading into the final Shell Cup round — only to be toppled by Canterbury at Oamaru — and performing so prominently in the three-day competition. “I don’t think we have any world-beating players in the team. It is not a starstudded side full of exinternationals and emerging youngsters like some of the others,” said Lees. “Everyone does their own job. The middle-order batsmen get their forties when needed, and the bowlers are all pretty straight. Perhaps the best aspect is our fielding, and it probably helps being an underdog and written off before we had even started. “The bubble could still

burst, of course. I am not prepared to have slow, first innings results, which means being reasonably positive and gambling a bit,” said Lees. “We decide on our policy each morning, and all 11 players stick to that plan,” he said. Lees himself has enjoyed a very successful trophy season, with most (13) wicket-keeping dismissals. His career total is now 282, equal with the record that the late Ken Wadsworth set for those who have played exclusively in and for New

Zealand. The New Zealand-born list is topped by Ken James, the former Wellington and New Zealand representative, but most of his 422 dismissals were for Northamptonshire in English county cricket. Lees will equal another record today — that of most (89) appearances for Otago, at present held by Noel McGregor. Shell Trophy points (tabulated under outright, first innings, drawn, lost,

points).— F.I. D L Pt Out Otago 3 2 0 0 36 Auck. 2 2 0 0 32 Wgtn 2 1 1 0 30 Cant. 0 2 0 2 8 Cent. 0 0 1 2 2 North. 0 0 0 3 0