RUNS HARD TO GET

Evening Star, Issue 21035, 24 February 1932, Page 6

RUNS HARD TO GET

With a deficiency of 49 runs Otago Spent'to'the wickets again, and it was fit once obvious that runs were to be extremely difficult to get. Each of the bowlers was able to turn the (ball on the pitch, which, if anything, was softer than it was on Friday, when 'Otago had its first knock, and the ball not only turned, but occasionally _ kept very low, while again it would nip up in disconcerting style. In consequence the batsmen had to be yery cautious, and runs came with painful slowness and were also scarce. ' In the total of 108 only two 4 s were hit, but Badcock hit one lusty 6 on to |the new concrete terrace ofi M "in'Badcock, who was top-scorer with 23, again gave a bright exhibition, though naturally his strokes were not always clean, owing to the difficulty in judging the pace of the wicket. He was ultimately caught off a slow uppish hit jto cover —an easy catch. Knight and Dickinson looked at one time as if they might stem the tide of disaster, and they certainly stayed (together for a considerable while, but the partnership value in runs was not a particularly profitable one. Dickinson made 10 and Knight 17, the latter taking 79 minutes to compile his score, ;which was a valuable contribution unider the circumstances. Dennis Smith batted very nicely and put together 13, his display including some cricketlike strokes from overpitched balls. Ho was well caught oft a bumpy one by Dempster, who sprawled in the middle of the pitch and (extended his right hand to take the catch. Following up his good batting Sn the first innings, Moloney was sound 'enough while at the wickets, and in contributing 11 did his share under the circumstances. Coupland once more got (double figures—namely, 15—and although his strokes 'had not the crispness nor elegance of some of the more finished batsmen it was noticeable that he shelved that confidence that is invariably his when at the wickets. Blunt was unfortunate, for, after Scoring only a single, he was run out through a misunderstanding. Badcock played a ball to the covers and started to run, but Blunt hesitated well outside his own crease and called “ No.” As Badcock continued to come on, however, Blunt got going again, but failed to reach the crease before a good return by Lambert was taken by James, yvho removed the bails. This accident was scarcely Badcock’s fault, as it was his call, and had Blunt not hesitated he would have got home. The incident ;was unfortunate for Otago, however, and probably made all the difference between leaving Wellington a much larger score to make than the 60 that ;was the case. Wellington’s ground fielding was good, though there were again some yrild throw-ins, and the bowlers were on top all the tirae,_ as is invariably the case when the wicket is helping them and the batsmen are concentrating on keeping the ball put of the wicket rather than on forcing it for runs. NEWMAN AGAIN SUCCESSFUL. Newman again came with the good figures of five for 45 off twenty-seven overs, and thoroughly deserved them, as he bowled particularly well. Whatever he may be on a fast, true wicket, the left-hander is certainly a dangerous bowler on a wicket such_ as this match was played on. and this would suggest that,' after all, he might have been of considerable use with the last New Zealand team in England. Lambert, who took two for 12 off ten overs, kept a good length, but neither he nor the others tried troubled the batsmen nearly so much as the left-hander, to .whom Wellington so largely owes its Success in this match. DICKINSON BOWLS SENSATIONALLY. Left with 60 runs to win and plenty iof time to do it in, the issue appeared to be a matter of no difficulty for Wellington, but with one of those turns of fortune which make cricket such an attractive game the public were given a series of thrills. At one time, indeed, it was quite on the cards that Otago might bring off a highly sensational victory. This state of affairs was largely due to Dickinson, who was as deadly as when he put up so fine a performance against the Australians a few years ago. Dickinson roused the first cheer when he had Dempster well caught in the slips by Blunt, and the fact that the champion had been disposed of for only 9 encouraged Otago to set their teeth. Dickinson bowled several maidens, and the score was taken to 34 by runs obtained off Blunt and Badcock, Dickinson then “yorking” Heaney with a fast one on the off pin. Without any addition to the score he clean bowled Crook with a beautiful good-length ball which came back from the off. There was only another single added when Dickinson caused further sensation by finding Dustin’s stumps, and four wickets were down for 35, the fast bowler having claimed all four at a cost of 9 runs. At this stage Dickinson was bowling with great vim and pace, keeping a fine length and coming back inches. It was no wonder, therefore, that the batsmen found him too much for them. After Laniason had been howled by Badcock Dickjuspu secured Lambert

Ibw, and liis figures were then five for 10. From that on he tired a little and his length shortened, but the batsmen were never able to take any liberties with him, and h© finished with the splendid figures of_ five for 23, a performance which will stand as one of the best ever recorded in Plunket Shield matches. . From the time he relieved Blunt Badcock kept up the attack at the other end, and for the first few overs his direction was not so accurate as usual, runs being secured on the open off-side. Afterwards, however, ho directed them better, and clean bowled two men with excellent balls. His third victim was James, who was grandly caught by Moloney at deep square leg, the fieldsman running in fast from twenty to thirty yards to take the ball. WELLINGTON SUPPORTERS ANXIOUS. While all this was going on, the ex•citement was intense, and when seven were down for 38 the Wellington supporters were indeed very anxious. Every run was now worth a lot, but M'Girr and Hepburn, two cool customers, succeeded in raising the total to 56 before the latter was bowled. Even then there were some more thrilling moments before the necessary runs were got by Lowry and M‘Girr, such as when a terrific “shooter” from Dickinson just skimmed M'Girr’s off stick and again when Lowry had a narrow escape from stumping off Badcock. The Wellington captain finished the business, however, by hitting Dickinson to the on for a couple. Wellington had secured an outright win by two wickets, and an enthusiastic crowd rushed the ground and surrounded the players who had taken part in a game that will be long remembered. During the exciting time when Wellington was called on to battle so hard for runs the Otago fieldsmen were well on their toes and worked keenly and well. Hawkesworth, behind the sticks, did a grand afternoon’s work and made some fine stops, and everybody did his best. Once again there was a large crowd of spectators present, the takings amounting to £6B, while the takings for the three days on which play was possible were £l9l.