FORTUNES VARY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 112, 4 February 1939, Page 13

FORTUNES VARY

Plunket Shield Cricket In Auckland

HOME SIDE 332 FOR SEVEN

Wellington Bowlers On Top During Morning

By Telegraph—Press Association,

AUCKLAND, February 3. Fortunes fluctuated in the Plunket Shield cricket match between Auckland and Wellington, which began at Eden Park today, the home side at stumps having lost seven wickets for 332 runs. On winning the toss the Auckland captain, A. J. Postles, had no hesitation in batting. The wicket ana outfield, however, proved to be slow, and during the morning period the Wellington bowlers pinned the batsmen down to defensive tactics. Auckland at one stage had lost three wickets for 68 runs, aud the visiting bowlers were well oii top. As the wicket gradually dried, the batsmen were able to become more free, but it was only in the later stages of the afternoon that the scoring rate quickened to any extent.

A tine innings was played for Auckland by F. E. Whitelaw, as opening batsman, who was in for 195 minutes for 56 runs. In association with G. L. Weir (54) he added 87 for the fourth wicket. Weir was fortunate to be missed with his score at 14, but nevertheless played a most useful innings for his side.

Two colts, V. Scott and V. S. Sale, livened proceedings by good running between the wickets. 1 Sale made a bright 38 and Scott was more subdued for a solid innings of 61. The New Zealand representative, W. N. Carson, batted particularly brightly for 66 not out. Pritchard’s Good Bowling. 'The Wellington fast bowler, T. L. Pritchard, put up a fine performance in taking two wickets for 62 runs in ~o overs, six of which were maidens. <L bowled much better ; than his figures of one for 79 indicated. The other wickets were evenly divided. Whitelaw and Postles were cautious when they opened to the bowling of Pritchard and Ashenden on the slow wicket, which sent the ball through at varyiu" paces, Ashenden was keeping a splendid length and he finally got a good one past Postles. 25-1-8. Wallace, the newcomer, was content to play Ashenden, who was still very accurate, and he watched the rising deliveries from Pritchard clear his off stump. The scoring was still slow and an hour's play realized 40 runs. Whitelaw' relieved a dull period with a drive through the covers which left the fieldsmen standing.

After securing a sight of the ball Wallace opened up on the off but could not pierce the well placed and active field. Gallichan and Lamason came on "in an attempt to effect a separation and they succeeded in putting the batsmen on the defensive. The 50 mark -was passed after 67 minutes. Gallichan kept floating his deliveries up to Wallace, who was reaching for his favourite cover drive, and finally a splendid length delivery was mistimfid by the batsman and Ashenden collected a chance in the slips. 03-2-23. Vivian opened in a shaky manner to Gallichan, being badly beaten by two good deliveries and mistiming several others. With his score at two he lifted Gallichan to long-on, where Oongley just failed to get his hands to a difficult chance. Whitelaw was plodding along quietly and was in his twenties for a long period. Vivian lost his wicket when he cocked one from Pritchard on the leg side and Rainbird dived to make a fine catch. 68-3-5. Sun Takes Effect. Lamason had timed Pritchard’s return to the bowling crease nicely, as the sun was starting to take effect on the wicket, and the ball was lifting awkwardly. Both Whitelaw and Weir were troubled, a “kicker” hitting Weir on the left hand and rebounding just short of forward midon. The score at luncheon was 77 for three wickets, Whitelaw being 33 and Weir 1. With the wicket still playing occasional tricks, the batsmen were on the defensive on resuming, and the scoring rate showed no improvement, Weir glanced a delivery from Pritchard, and the ball went through Browne’s hands. Both batmnen were shaping more confidently when Ashenden was given the ball in place of Pritchard, Gallichan had bad luck when Weir lifted him to deep mid-on, and Browne missed a fairly easy catch. One hundred appeared in the same over after 150 minutes’ batting, Whitelaw having 41 to his credit and Weir 16. Though he was not timing the ball particularly well, Weir attempted to break through the bowler’s dominance, and a powerful offdrive just cleared Rainbird s fingers at deep mid-on. A ball rapped Weir on the pads in the next over when he attempted to lift Ashenden high to the log fence, the batsman badly misjudging the flight of the ball. Though he did not connect properly, Weir picked up three boundaries with shots on the leg side, and was in the forties with Whitelaw. Both reached their fifties in the same over. Whitelaw taking 185 minutes and Weir 75 minutep. One hundred and fifty appeared after 190 minutes. Whitelaw and Weir Go. Harpur was given a trial with the ball, and after Weir had sent one uppiphly through the covers, he caught and bowled Whitelaw —155-4456. Weir, in attempting to lift Browne over the fence was caught at deep mid-off by E 11—163-5-54. Sale and Scott started nicely, the former quickly reaching his twenties. At the tea adjournment the score was 210 for five wickets, Sale being 34 and Scott

21. Sale lost his wicket just after the resumption, when he chopped one through the gully, and a difficult chance was accepted by Lamason-‘-21S-6-38. Pritchard was definitely hostile after Carson had come to partner Scott, hits deliveries lifting awkwardly and causing both batsmen concern. Carson neverthele.s's endeavoured to force the pace from the outset, while Scott, proceeding quietly, reached 30, Rung started to come more freely after 5 p.m.. both batsmen shaping confidently on a wicket which had dried out. Scott's defence was a hurdle for the bowlers, and Carson had dropped his earlier aggressiveness, and was watching the ball carefully. Scott reached his 50 after 114 minutes. With the total at 278. a separation was effected when Scott snicked one from Lamason, which was taken neatly by Tin-dill—29s-7-61. Carson was partnered by Matheson, and the formed raised 300 wifli n brilliant cover drive. Carson hooked Browne to the fence to reach his 50. Matheson defended with his characteristic ftubbornness. Carson drove freely to overpitched deliveries, and collected an occasional

four in spite of the well set field, the pair being unbeaten at stumps. Scores:— AUCKLAND.—First timings.

8 I*. E. Whhelaw. c. and l». Hurpur AB AV, M. AVallace, c, Ashenden, b. Cnlllclian H. G. Vivian, c. Rainbird, b. Pritchard 5 54 V. J. Scott, c. Tindall, b. Ln mason 01 V. S. Salo, c. Lamijson, b. Pritchard 38 W X Carson, not out 00 A. N. Matheson, not out •••••••••< Extras 10 Total for seven wickets • •• 332 Bowling Analysis. (.), M. R. w. Pritchard ........... 25 0 C2 \ she nd on 20 3 79 1 70 1 Lamason H 1 20 1 41 1 Hnrpur 1° ■ 28 1