OTAGO’S WINNING POSITION

Evening Star, Issue 23499, 13 February 1940, Page 6

OTAGO’S WINNING POSITION

YESTERDAY’S PLAY AT GARISBROOK WELLINGTON ADOPTS CAUTIOUS TACTICS SOME GOOD BOWLING FIGURES Yesterday’s cricket at Cariebruok was again of an interesting character. There was considerable doubt hi the minds of cricketers as to how the rain which had fallen on Sunday night would affect the wicket, but apart from a scar on its face where bowler-Wilson had planted a heavy foot during his operations on Saturday, it looked as good as ever. ■Curator Alec Boss certainly lias the knack of preparing a wicket that not only looks well, but plays well throughout a four-day match. The “track ” was soltish, of course, and, later in the day, Pritchard’s signature was there for all to see; at any rate, he had made his mark. Otago pressed home the advantage already gained by the splendid recovery of Saturday, and it was not until 351 was on the hoard that the last‘wicket fell. Fraser carried his 105 to 118 in good style before he edged one into the slips and was held. What has already been said of this great innings of the Carisbrook man stands. MILLS A GOOD TAIL-ENDER. Mills, who had helped Fraser to add 40 runs for the ninth wicket, batted soundly yet briskly for 72 minutes and deserved the distinction of making a half-century. He hit one splendid 6 off Ashenden which landed just over the edge of the grass near the Press box. He also scored four 4’s. His principal shots were on the on-side, where he turned some of them very nicely indeed, and the on drive. A few'of the fast ones were edged low and high, but that happened with most of the batsmen. Mills stood about 18in outside the batting crease when facing Pritchard ; this was a good move. He was out when forcing the pace, putting one into the hands of M'Leod, who was fielding very close in at mid-on. One cannot help thinking that Otago must indeed have, on paper at any rate, a very strong batting side when Mills, who made a century against Auckland last year, and, despite his failures up north, is a good bat, is sent in No. 10 in both innings.

PRITCHARD’S FOUR WICKETS. Although Pritchard took four wickets in this second innings, they cost him 107 runs, and he did not appear to be so dangerous. Nevertheless, his wickets were good ones—Robertson, Elmes, Cameron, and Fraser—and the state of the pitch must also be remembered. Ashenden did not have a strikingly successful match, and Wilson, in this second innings, was not nearly so effective as in- the first. M'Leod, after his fanciful performance pn Saturday, did not take the crease again, Rainbird, as substitute wicketkeeper did very well indeed.

WELLINGTON DID NOT HURRY. When Wellington faced the spoonavoiding task of making 270 runs in the fourth innings they did not do so with that determination which Auckland and Canterbury brought to bear at Carisbrook last season, when they forced those unexpected victories. On the contrary, our present opponents adopted ultra-careful tactics, which, in air the circumstances, appeared to be unwise. Certainly they lost Wrigley early, but the wicket was easy and the bowling not deadly, and had the visitors taken their courage in both hands and given the bat a little longer handle it is highly probable that the results would have been much more satisfactory to them. -It was unfortunate, of course, that Tindill, still suffering from a severe cold in the back, was able only to hang out his bat to the bowling, and he" is deserving of praise for his pluck in batting at all, as well as to sympathy in his affliction. The Wellington side was also unfortunate in losing the' services of another opening batsman, Hepburn, who, although present, was unable to take part in the match owing to indisposition. The batting was painfully slow, the first 50 taking 82 minutes, the 100 two hours and 43 minutes. After that Wilson put a little life into things and showed what could have been done. He went for the bowling and played attractive cricket, handicapped though he was by having often to decline runs in order to nurse Tindill when the latter was in. Tindill had Airey to run for him. Rainbird, batting carefully, made some sound and effective strokes, as witness his six 4’s in a score of 46. He was in for 112 minutes, and fell to a fine catch by Moloney off his own bowling. The ball was driven back hard and low, and Moloney took it as he fell on the pitch. Du Chateau did not appear to be at homo during his sojourn at the wickets, but ho stayed quite a while in getting 13. Whyte was much livelier, and was 14 not out when stumps were drawn for the day. Ougley did not repeat his good work of the first innings, and was easily caught for half a dozen, and Airey, after being missed by Cameron off a mighty hit into the deep, made a bad stroke at a ball from Lemin, and was well and truly skittled.

MOLONEY AND LEMIN. As to the Otago bowlers, most of them kept the ball too short. Moloney, who made three successful appearances at the crease, pitched them up pretty well and was rewarded, his four wickets costing only 47 runs. Lemin also bowled well in taking three for 20 in 12 overs. Leader was awkward, making the ball jump quite a lot, and only 35 runs were scored from his 18 overs, 10 of which were maidens. But, then, the “ safety first ” methods of the batsmen probably tended to make the bowling look more dangerous than it actually was. The Otago fielding was keen and good. Moloney handled bis bowling exceedingly well, making quick changes with good effect. A COINCIDENCE. it was a coincidence that at the cud of each of the three days’ play the batting side bad lost eight wickets. On Friday it was Wellington who had eight down for 191; on Saturday Otago’s score was 287 for eight, and yesterday eight Wellington wickets

were down for 175. One never knows at cricket, of course, but it did seem yesterday as though Wellington was taking an unconscionable time in dying, and that they might perhaps have finished the job that night. However, while there’s life there’s hope, and Tindill might throw off his crippled state. Further, there was the ever-present possibility of rain, and no more play would have meant a first innings win for Wellington. In view of the frequency of the showers whirl) caused adjournments during the match the argument put up by an onlooker that, had Rainbird not come down with the team, or as an alternative, had he changed his name to Rainbow. we would have had better weather, might he said to, as it were, hold water.

DETAILS OF PLAY. After our report closed yesterday, Elnu-s, changing to round the wicket, still required watching. The first bundary of the innings came when M'Leod straight-drove Leader after 80 minutes’ play. The captain was now 20 and the total 40. Elmos had bowled six overs for 6 runs, when Robertson replaced him, M'Leod pulling his second for a single, while Rainbird drove the fifth to the off-side rails. Elmos' went on at the Workshops end. and M'Leod skied him for a couple out of reach of Toomey at third man. THE CAPTAIN GOES. The scoring now livened up a little, 50 being hoisted after 82 minutes by a square-leg boundary hit by Rainbird. Then the dour cricket was resumed, except for a cheeky single now and again. Moloney’s obvious move was to ring the changes, and at 57 he took the ball himself, going on at the Workshops end in place of Elmes. His first over was effective, for M'Leod pulled the fourth ball hard and low to Elmes at square leg, the lowness of the catch evidently arousing a doubt in the batsman’s mind. The second wicket fell at 59, of which M'Leod had made 28 ,in 1,02 minutes. Ongley partnered Rainbird, and an occasional ball from Leader, who had relieved Robertson, got up. With Moloney continuing at the bowling crease the batsmen became more aggressive, but it proved the downfall of Ongley, who hit the slow bowler straight to Cutler at mid-off, the fieldsman taking an easy catch. 67—3—G. The next batsman was du Chateau, and he began with a twisty single. Both men were lofting Moloney, but the ball was landing safe. It was Leader’s turn to be no-balled. Rainbird accelerated the scoring speed when he drove Moloney sturdily to the on-fence. A single, and then du Chateau belted the Otago skipper to leg for 3. An over of jumpy ones from Leader made du Chateau look nervous. EVEN THE POM. FAILS. Elmes came back at 84, taking Moloney’s end, and Rainbird played a watchful maiden. A Pomeranian*dog came well into the field and barked at the batsmen, but without effect, du Chateau playing another uneasy over from Leader, who had now bowled eight maidens in 12 overs. At the tea adjournment the total was 89, Rainbird 27, du Chateau 8.

After tea du Chateau reached double figures after 45 minutes at the crease. Rainbird cover-drove Elmes to the fence, and later on he square-drove Leader also for 4, bringing up 100 in 163 minutes. Two to du Chateau to square leg, and at 104 Lemin was brought on in place of Leader, Rainbird scoring a 2 and a single. The rate of scoring was thus materially increased. But a wicket fell in the same over. Mills taking du Chateau nicely. 103—4 —13. Lemin had now two wickets for 11 runs. AIREY LET OFF. BUT—

Airey hit the first ball from Moloney high to Cameron away out by the sight screen. The batsman, accepting his fate, turned to go back to the pavilion, but Cameron dropped the catch. The big fellow did not benefit much by the let-off, however, for in Lemin’s second over after that he made a poor shot at a shortish ball and lost his off stump. 118—6—2.

The newcomer was Wilson, and Rainbird hooked Elmes square to the fence. Wilson’s first was a cut past point for a single. At 113 Moloney replaced Elmes (none for 28). Again the change was effective, Rainbird hitting one back and Moloney taking a low catch while falling. 115 —5—46. TINDILL BATS PLUCKILY.

Tindill came in with Airey to run for him, and he chopped Lemin for a single. The Wellington keeper shaped' as though still in pain, and was content to pat back Moloney’s enticing slows, treating Lemin’s deliveries in the same manner. The field crouched all around him,' but Tindill got one to leg for a single which could have been 2. The cricket was decidedly uninteresting at this stage. A 4 to Wilson off Lemin, the same batsman placing Moloney for 2 and a single. This was better. Leader came on, and Wilson, opening out nicely, placed him to leg for 2 and drove him over the bowler’s head to the fence. A couple of balls later he hit another 4 to leg—lo off the over. This brought on Elmes vice Moloney. Tindill- was batting under great difficulty. Wilson, driving freely, was still getting runs, and reached 30. ... One hundred and fifty was raised in 228 minutes. Two runs later Wilson drove Elmes hard to Moloney at deep mid-off and was taken breast high. The outgoing batsman had shaped brightly for 32, with four 4’s. Pritchard was next, and Moloney went on at the railway end. Pritchard drove him hard for 4. Nest over he hit another straight 4, but in trying to repeat the stroke he missed and was bowled. 161—8—7. Molonev had taken four for 42. Whyte came in and punched Moloney for 3. Next lie jumped out to Elmes and drove him straight for a couple. Four more to Whyte, then the score went slowly on to 175, each batsman playing with groat care, and at stumps eiglit wickets had fallen. Details:— OTAGO. First innings 138 Second innings ... 351 WELLINGTON. First innings 220 Second Innings. M'Leod c Elmos b Moloney 28 Wrigley c Mills b Lemin 6 Rainbird c and b Moloney 46 Ongley c Cutler b Moloney 6 du Chateau c Mills b Lemin 13 Wilson o Moloney b Elmes 32 Airey b Lemin 2 Tindill not out 6 Pritchard b Moloney 7 Whyte not out 14 Extras 15 Total for eight wickets ... 175 —Bowling ■ Analysis.—

T>omin. Ho'jci'lsmi. and Leader each bowled one no-ball.

0, M. It. W Lcniin ... ] It L ; n ;i 1 {obertson 9 1 is 0 Klmos O') 7 •10 l liPrttlor is 10 •T) n Mnlonev ... 10 •17 i