Wellington dominates

Press, 26 January 1988, Page 29

Wellington dominates

PA Levin Wellington, after an early scare took first innings points in its match against Central Districts at the Levin Domain yesterday. A valuable unbroken partnership for the fifth wicket worth 87 runs between Gavin Larsen 64 not out, and Ervin McSweeny unbeaten on 46 ensured the innings points were in the bag and put Wellington in the driver’s seat for the remainder of the match. Wellington won the toss and put Central Districts in to bat but the host got away to a disastrous start when the opener, John Smith, was out leg before to Grant Cedarwall in the second over without a run on the board. Central suffered a further setback when Mark Greatbatch who looked quite comfortable was out to the paceman, Millmow, for 14. Wickets fell regularly thanks to excellent fielding and bowling by Wellington and just when Steve Robertson was on 30 after 86 minutes, Steve Maguiness had him caught by Tim Ritchie in the slips cordon. Maguiness had by then bowled three maidens conceding no runs and had taken two wickets. Wellington looked in commanding form, but it was uncertainty by Central Districts at the batting crease rather than spectacular bowling by Wellington. Central Districts scraped through to get its hundred on the board in 38 overs and 158 minutes but was all out shortly after. The Wellington innings got off to a promising 'start — both captain Robert Vance and Bruce Edgar looked set to put on a huge first wicket partnership. But then Vance playing a defensive stroke in Gary Robertson’s fourth over was caught at short square leg. Edgar, still having problems with his footwork was the next man back in the

stands after Robertson snapped up his second wicket for the day trapping him leg before wicket for 28.

In a stroke of good fortune Larsen survived an incredible and sensational ball when in Walton's second over and fifth ball, he played on to the bails which failed to dislodge. McSweeny had a life when he was dropped by Smith off Robertson early in his innings but the hardhitting former New Zealand wicketkeeper took 11 off Walton’s sixteenth over to make up for the early lapse. Wellington’s hundred came up in 33 overs. Larsen’s half-century included four overs and two sixes. CENTRAL DISTRICTS First innings J. Smith lbw Cedarwall . . 0 S. Robertson c Ritchie b Maguiness 30 M. Greatbatch b Milimow. 14 R. Harden c McSweeny b Maguiness 14 D. Guthardt c McSweeny b Larsen ’. . . 12 S. Duff c Ritchie b Larsen . 7 1. Snook c McSweeny b Cedarwall 24 S. Gill c Larsen b Millmow. 15 G. Robertson b Holland . . 9 D. Stirling lbw Cedarwall . 1 S. Walton not out 0 Extras (Ibl, wl, nb3). ... 5 Total 131 Fall: 0, 25, 58, 63, 78, 79, 101, 120, 130. Bowling: J. Millmow 14, 4, 44, 2, G. Cedarwall 12.1, 1, 46, 3; S. Maguiness 11, 7, 13, 2; G. Larsen 11, 5, 22, 2, R. Holland 4,3, 5, 1. WELLINGTON First innings . B. Edgar lbw G. Robertson. 28 R. Vance c Smith b Robertson 12 G. Larsen not out 66 T. Ritchie c Guthardt b Robertson 0 E. Gray b Walton 9 E. McSweeny not out. ... 46 Extras (1 b 5) 5 Total (for 4 wkts) 166 Fall: 23, 28, 68, 79.

Bowling: G. Robertson 17, 3, 40, 3; S. Gill 6,1, 16, 0; S. Walton 19, 1, 42, 1; D. Stirling 8, 0, 36, 0; S. Robertson 2,0, 12, 0; S. Duff 4,0, 15, 0.