OTAGO IN STRONG POSITION
Plimket Shield Game
WELLINGTON SECOND 'INNINGS Fluctuating Fortunes (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, February 12. After it had seemed probable at one stage that it would finish on the second day with a comfortable win for Wellington as a result, the final Plunket Shield match of the season between Otago and Wellington has gone on to the fourth day with an extreme probability of an outright win for Otago as the outcome. Fluctuating fortunes are not uncommon in the game of cricket, but this match is remarkable in that Otago ' has recovered from the position of facing a deficit of 82 on the first innings and losing six for 120 in its second attempt, to that of having only the last two Wellington batsmen to dismiss and 94 runs in hand. Otago carried its (second innings from 287 for eight wickets to 351 and captured eight Wellington wickets for 175. It is, of course, possible for the visiting side to stage a brilliant finish, and it is not impossible that rain may yet-rob Otago of a win,-but up to this point the match must be regarded as a triumphant recovery for the home side. Today’s play took place on a wicket made easy by rain, except that the footholes at one end caused the batsmen some uneasiness, and in weather that was still cold but sunny and free of most of the wind and showers that marred the first two days.
The day was interesting largely for the fact that T. C. Fraser carried his overnight score of 105 to 118 and for a splendid consolidating innings by the Otago wicketkeeper, G. H. Mills. Going in No. 10, he took charge of the game when Fraser was .out and scored freely and monopolized the bowling so exclusively that lie scored 31 of the 32 runs added for the last wicket. His innings of 50 was aggressive and studded by cleanly hit strokes. Wellington required 270 in its second innings for an outright win, but at no stage of the day looked like a winning side. It w 4 as unfortunate that its keeper and solid opening batsman, E. W. Tindill, was suffering so badly from back trouble that he spent most of the day under medical treatment. He did bat when his side was in a dangerous position, but he was crippled and unable to do anything njore than keep the ball out of his wicket. That he did so with such effect that he is not out with six runs to his credit after batting for about an hour and a half was a tribute to his courage and determination. Of the Wellington batsmen only E. G. McLeod, W. G. Rainbird and D, S. Wilson showed form worthy of their reputations. The whole innings was very slow. In fact only Wilson showed any particular aggression with success. McLeod and Rainbird batted solidly. The latter held the side together well for nearly two hours. His 46 innings was a first-class one, characterized by dogged defence and strong hitting of loose balls. Otago Bowlers in Charge.
M’ifh him out the Otago bowlers were in full charge. All of them were played with great caution, more caution, with due respect to their steadiness, than the bowling deserved. The wicket presented no difficulties except that A r . J. Leader made the ball fizz somtimes off one patch worn by the Wellington bowler J. /Vshendon. It was of easy pace throughout,the day. The lack of forceful batting shown by the visitors is reflected in the figures of the Otago bowlers. T. G. Lemin bowled 12 overs for 20 runs and three wickets, C. J. Elmes 22 overs for 40 runs and one wicket, A r . J. Leader IS overs, 10 of which were maidens, for 35 runs, and D. A. R. Aioloney. n slow spin bowler. 16 overs for 47 runs and four wickets. Leader deserved a wicket or two, but nil of the attack was consistently accurate. At the same time the performance of the AVellington batsmen did not merit any commendation. Scores:— OTAGO. l''irst Innings 138 Second innings. li. A. It. Moloncv, 1.b.w.. b. Wilson .. 3<> G. .1. Robertson, c. Wrjgley, ti. ITit.■hard A. S. 11. Cui li r, I'. Aslienilen io I'.' .I.' Elmes. b. Prilelinril [7 11. it. Cmneron, b. Prilelinril . s T’ U Fraser, c. Ashontleii, b. Pritcluird .118 T.’ c’liettlelini’gh. c. Wilson, b. Whyte 5 C. I). G. Toomey, c. Du Chateau. I). MeV. .1/'Lender,'c.' Wrigley,' t>. McLeod .. 
Log in