OTAGO'S FAILURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 13

OTAGO'S FAILURE

INNINGS DEFEAT HONOURS ALL WITH AUCKLAND (By Tclc.;ra 1 > 11. —Press Association.) DUNEDIN, January 4. The Plunket Shield match between Auckland and Otago finished today in a win for Auckland by art innings and 175 runs. Auckland made 550 in the first innings for five wickets declared, and Otago's two innings realised 181 and 194. A. R. Knight played a good knock for 81 in the sccorid innings, but C. J. Elmcs '45) and K. F. M. Uttley (37) were the only others to make any kind of a stand under conditions that were favourable to batsmen. J. Cowie (fast-medium) and H. G. Vivian (lefthand slow) secured most of the wickcts. In spite of two days of play the wicket was in good condition when Otago resumed their innings today with none down for 5, although the outfield was a good deal slower than on the first day. Both Knight and Uttley, the opening batsmen, played confidently, although without much dash, and they refused to be shaken by frequent changes of bowling. W. Carson, Cowie, and A. M. Matheson shared the greater part of the early attack, but they made little impression on the batsmen, and it was not until G. L. Weir was brought on that .. any wickets looked like falling. The first 50 appeared in 6D minutes, and before another 20 runs had been scored three chances were given off Weir in the slips, where Cowie, E. J. Dunning, and M. W, Wallace in turn failed to hold the ball. Dwnning's chance, which injured his finger, was a difficult one, but the other two should have been taken. Knight took 116 minutes to reach his 50, but shortly before lunch he lost Uttley, who fell to a good catch in the slips by P. E. Whitelaw off Cowie. TWO CHEAP WICKETS. With one wicket down for 95 it looked as if Otago might at least be able to play out the day, but the next two Wickets added Only 24 runs, and it was not until Elmes came to join Knight that the game steadied up again. The pair put on 49 for the fourth wicket, but when Knight was 81 he was bowled by an off-break from Cowie. Four wickets- were down for ICS, and from that time the game rapidly deteriorated and the whole side was out for 1,94. As on the second day, the Auckland bowling, although accurate, was never dangerous, and little excuse could be found for the failure of the Otago batsmen. Although his figures were less impressive than Cowie's, Viv;an was probably the best bowler. He mixed his deliveries well and kept the ball well up to the batsmen, who were never at any time inclined to take risks with him. Cowie bowled very consistently and tunicd the ball well on occasions, maintaining a good length. Weir was unlucky, as he should have taken at least two wickets ,if he had received adequate support from the field. ' Details: — AUCKLAND. First Innings. Total for five wickcts (declared) . 550 OTAGO. First innings 181 Second Innings. Knight, b Cowie 81 Uttley, c Whitelaw, b Cowie 37 Kerr, b Carson ......... 3 Badcock, c Matheson, b Cowie .. 0 Elmcs, lbw, b Matheson ...... 45 Mills, b Vivian I Chcttleburgh, c Weir, b Vivian .. (j Dunning, c Marshall, b Vivian .. 0 McGregor, c Spring, b Matheson . 0 Groves, run out Silver, not out fj Extras Total 194

Bowling Analysis. O. M. R. W. Carson 2 fl 1 Cowie " J 19 3 Spring 6 1 U Matheson I f» 0 Wpjr . . lo O 0$ u Vivian 23.4 6 42 3 Cowie bowled one no-ball.