PLUNKET SHIELD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 December 1938, Page 2

PLUNKET SHIELD

BRIGHT INNINGS BY MENZIES CANTERMURY’S FINE RECOVERY WELLINGTON LOSE THREE FOR 93 l United Press Association I CHRISTCHURCH, 30th December. A sparkling 163 by R. E. J. Menzies was the feature of the first day’s play in the Plunket Shield cricket macth between Wellington and Canterbury, which was begun on Lancaster Park today. Batting with the greatest of ease, Menzies treated all bowlers alike, and made his runs in the fact time of two and a half hours. The Canterbury innings closed for 349. which was much more than at first appeared probable. When five wickets had fallen for 104 runs, W. McD. Anderson, playing his first big game, helped Menzies in a valuable stand which added 87 runs, and then H. Davis held his end up when Menzies attacked the bowling, the ninth wicket partnership being worth 107 By comparison Wellington’s batting was slow, and at stumps the side had made 93 for three . :okets. The weather was perfect, a light south-west wind tempering the heat of the sun. and the wicket gave no assistance to the bowlers. With the outfield fast, a day of most interesting play was seen. MENZIES’ FINE INNINGS Menzies’s innings must go down as one of the best in his career. For the second time in a week he helped to pull his side out of a difficult position. Appropriately enough his display was the highlight of the day, whereas on the first occasion he had to play second fiddle to I. B. Cromb. His shots were all beautifully timed, specially those behind the wicket, which gave him most of his runs. His cover drives were also beautifully placed, but he was no less inferior on the leg side. During his innings he hit 24 fours, specially in the afternoon, runs coming at a fast rate while he was at the wickets. In the early part of the innings, nibbling at rising balls outside the off stump, led to the dismissal of some of the top batsmen. Hadlee, Bellamy and Kerr all went out in this way. Bellamy and Kerr seemed well set when they made their mistakes; both were confident. and when they were at the wickets runs came very quickly. Cromb to-day was not so sound as on Wednesday, and was well beaten by Gallichan, but Donnelly went out to a careless stroke. Roberts, who made second highest score, again batted consistently, scoring mostly with powerful drives. He appeared well set when he was dismissed. The Old Boys colt, Anderson, fully justified his inclusion; he batted extremely well and his strokes were beautifully timed. With Menzies he provided fast running between the wickets. Credit must again be given to Davis, who played a valuable innings for his side. He made only 16, but his runs were worth many more. He kept his wicket up till Menzies had completed his century, and then himself produced some nice scoring shots. WELLINGTON FIELD WELL The Wellington fieldsmen never let up during the innings, very few balls being fumbled, while the few catches that were dropped were mostly hard ones. Tindill behind the wickets gave a polished display, and the fielding of Ongiey, Ell and Rainbird were also firstclass. T. L. Pritchard, the Manawatu fast bowler, bowled well in spite of an injured arm. He developed plenty of speed but was not helped by the wicket. J Ashenden, who finished with the best figures—four wickets for 95 runs off 23 overs—kept a good length and varied his flight cleverly, a remark that also applies to Wilson Gallichan, who was used surprisingly little, kept the early batsmen quiet, but suffered at. the hands of Menzies. McKeown and Rice, the ! other bowlers, did not impress. Me- | Keown failing to keep a good length. I VISITORS’ BATTING MUCH SLOWER Tindill, who made 48 not out, was one of the soundest batsmen in Wellington’s innings, which was much slower than that of Canterbury. His off shots were well placed, but he was also strong on the left side. Rive was very subdued, but Sheffield and Ell were always looking for runs. Mulcock bowled steadily for Canterbury and kept the runs down well, as did Roberts in the few overs he had. Of the others used Donnelly bowled cleverly. He was more expensive than the others, but took two good wickets. Scores:— CANTERBURY First Innings Hadlee, c Tindill, b Pritchard 0 Bellamy, c Pritchard, b Ashenden ... 29 Kerr, c Ell. b Wilson Roberts, b Ashenden 51 Cromb, b Gallichan 10 Donnelly, c Tindill. b Pritchard ... 3 Menzies, v McKeown, b Wilson 163 Anderson, b Wilson 38 Webb, c Tindill. b Ashenden 1 Davis, c Wilson, b Ashenden 16 Mulcock. not nut 5 Extras 9 Total 349 Bowling: Pritchard took two wickets for 61 runs. Ashenden four for 95. Wilson three for 78, Gallichan one for 41 McKeowen. none for 45, Rice none for 20 r WELLINGTON First Innings Tindill. not out 48 Rice c Webb, b Mulcock 16 Sheffield, c Kerr, b Donnelly 9 Ell. b Donnelly 14 Extras 6 Total for three wickets 93 Bowling: Davis took no wickets for 8 runs, Mulcock one for 18, Roberts none for 12, Donnelly two for 32. Bellamy none for 14. Cromb none for 3