PLUNKET SHIELD

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 12

PLUNKET SHIELD

WELLINGTON 82 RUNS AHEAD PLAY IN SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS Though the weather conditions showed an improvement upon those of j esterday -when play was resumed in the Plunket Shield match at Cansbrook this morning, only two overs had been bowled when a smart rain shower sent the players off the field for seven minutes. The wicket had been covered at the end during the night, and had not been affected by the ram which had fallen. M'leod (31) and White (0) resumed their innings, and three runs came to M‘Leod from Leader’s first over, while five runs were added from Lemin s opening eight. It was here that the players were driven off the field by the shower. Back again and Leader sent down a maiden to M‘Leod. Lemin was beating White consistently, but the ball also beat the wickets. A single to White got him out of a difficult position, and then M‘Leod clouted a nice 4 through the covers. This brought up 200 in 106 minutes. . M'Leod was placing them nicely through the covers, but White was shaping poorly, and it was no surprise ■when h© placed Leader into Moloney s hands at mid-off. 209—9—3. Ashenden, who was last man, swept the first ball to the leg fence. Chettlebuxgh was brought on in place of Lemin, three men being placed on the on-side. But M'Leod cracked the first ball between them for 4 and reached 50 with ,a pair off the next. VISITORS ALL OUT. A couple to Ashenden brought up 220, and another shower caused the players to scamper for the pavilion, but, on the principle that second thoughts are best, they stopped, looked, and returned to carry on. In Leader s next over Ashenden, making another sweep of the agricultural variety, was struck on the hand, and the ball went up in the air to he caught by Mills. The innings thus closed for 220, M Leod 52 not out. Leader, by taking the two wickets this morning, emerged with good figures. OTAGO’S SECOND KNOCK. Moloney and Robertson again opened for Otago, thus time in sunshine, plus wind. Pritchard bowled, and a single came to each batsman from the over. Ashenden took up the attack from the other end. The ball began to (< P°P a little at this stage, and after a couple of narrow escapes, Robertson was struck on the hand. Ho resumed after a minute or two, however, The first 4 of the innings came from a pretty square cut by Moloney. A couple of overs later the same batsman drove Ashenden to the on for another 4. This brought him into double figures, and 20 came up in 22 minutes. When he was (t Robertson gave a sharp chance to Wilson in the slips. He next hit a 3 past Wrigley at silly leg, after which the fieldsman decided to drop back a yard or two. ROBERTSON CAUGHT. At 25 Wilson replaced Ashenden at the Workshops end, four runs coming off the over. Wrigley came back to his close-up position, and Robertson obligingly placed Pritchard into his hands. / The first wicket fell at 28, Robertson having made 11. Cutler joined his skipper, and opened with a doubtful one down the slips. Tindill, suffering from a bad back, was passing the ball to first slip to return to the bowler. A nice straight drive off Wilson gave Moloney 2, and shortly afterwards he reached 20 with a similar stroke to the fence. The attendance of the public was not large, though better than that of yesterday. Most of them sheltered in the standi or in the lee of the fences. Moloney was specialising in straight drives, another one travelling to the fence. The half-century came up ip even time, but with the last ball of his third over Wilson trapped Moloney llnv. The captain had made 33, with five 4’s. Moloney’s dismissal was a disappointment to Otago supporters, for he was batting really well. Elmes joined. Cutler, and broke his “ duck ” with a single, a nice glance to leg giving Cutler 3, and he later got Wilson to the fence to make him 10. At 64 Ashenden came on ,at Pritchard’s end. Elmes brought up 70 with an off drive to the rails. The black clouds also came up, and another smart shower caused an adjournment, with the total at 73 (Cutler 14, Elmes 11). The luncheon interval was now taken, AFTER LUNCH. When play was resumed after the luncheon interval Rainbird kept wickets in place of Tindill, who was unable to take the field. Hepburn, Wellington’s twelfth man was also indisposed, and Moloney fielded until Holden (Otago’s twelfth man) appeared. Five runs came from Pritchard’s first over,' then play was held up while Rainbird went off the field for a few minutes. TWO QUICK WICKETS. When the deficiency was within 1 run of being wiped off Cutter made a wild slash at Ashenden and was bowled 81-3-16. Cameron joined Elmes, but without an addition to the score the latter followed Culter’s example and tried to hit a ball which was not there, the real ball crashing into his stumps 81-4-17. Fraser came in and a bye brought tbo scores level, the newcomer starting Otago’s credit balance with a single off Pritchard, who was bowling at top speed. The sun was now shining, but Otago’s hopes were not bright. Rainbird appealed against Fraser for a catch off Ashenden, but it was negatived. Cameron whanged Pritchard to leg for a brace, but was not altogether comfortable facing the express. At 2.20 p.m. the scores were:AVELLINGTON. First Innings. Tindill Ibw b Elmes 40 Wrigley b Lemin 1 Rainbird Ibw b Lemin ... 13 Ongley run out 37 du Chateau b Elmes 14 Wilson c -Robertson b Elmes 16 M‘Leod not out 52 Airey c Toomey b Leader 30 Pritchard b Leader 2 White c Moloney b Leader 3 Ashenden c Mills b Leader 5 Extras 7 Total 220 —Bowling Analysis.— O. M. R. W.

First innings 138 Second Innings. Moloney Ibw b Wilson 33 Robertson c Wrigley b Pritchard ... 11 Cutter b Ashenden 10 Elmes b Pritchard 17 Cameron not out 7 Fraser not out 3 Extras 6 Total for four wickets 93

Lemm 20 Robertson ... 5 Leader 12.6 Elmes 15 Moloney ... 7 Ofeettle'burgh 2 1 2 1 4 1 1 72 17 42 35 39 8 o 0 4 3 0 0 OTAGO.