WOODEN SPOON

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 35, 10 February 1940, Page 13

WOODEN SPOON

UNIMPRESSIVE PLAY

WELLINGTON IN LEAD

PRITCHARD BOWLS WELL

(By. Telegraph—Press Association.)

D.UNEDIN, February 9.

Otago's first innings against Wellington in the Plunket Shield match realised 138, Leader and Mills adding 21 after lunch. Leader was bowled by Pritchard and Mills was out lbw to Wilson. The Wellington attack was steady, but, apart from Pritchard, not hostile. The fast bowler was dangerous by reason of the pace he made off the \vicket, and the varying heights at •which the ball came through. Wilson and Ashenden both kept a steady length, and turned a little from the off. Tindill was very safe behind the wickets. Wellington's innings began badly. Wrigley played back to the* last ball of the first over and was cleaa bowled. One was down for 5. With the score at 40 Lemin appealed for lbw against Rainbird and was successfuL ■ . With Ongley in, the scoring rate was increased and 50 appeared in- 54 minutes. The tea adjournment was taken with the total at 68. Ongley was out to an accurate return. He hit five 4's in attractive style. Elmes had his first reward two runs later. Tindill reached well forward and was struck on the leg by the ball, which came straight through. The appeal was successful, and from 97 for two wickets the score had changed to 99 for four wickets. Tindill's 40 was a sound innings of 105 minutes. One hundred appeared in 108 minutes, with dv Chateau and Wilson together. Wilson did not get over a cover drive, and edged it for Robertson, short in the gully, to reach for a comfortable catch. The sixth wicket did not survive long. Elmes trapped dv Chateau cleverly with a faster one. The. batsman was much too late, and was bowled neck and crop. Otago's total was equalled in 147 minutes, three minutes better than Otago's time. Airey was in with McLeod, who enlivened a quiet patch .by driving Moloney twice for 4.- Both batsmen were left handers and eager to drive the slow bowler. Airey hit him for the first 6 of the match and followed it ' with another which bounced on the rail. The over cost 20 runs and took Airey into the 20's. Airey slashed at* a ball from Leader, but did not keep it down, and Toomey at backward point fell full length in making a fine catch. Pritchard went the same over, in try in? a big hit which he missed. ! There was a quarter of an hour of • play left when White joined McLeod. Stumps were drawn with the pair together.