CRICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26045, 8 January 1946, Page 6

CRICKET

WELLINGTON’S GOOD START MATCH AGAINST AUCKLAND (PA) WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. Rain called a halt at 3.30 p.m. today in the special cricket match between Wellington and Auckland at the Basin reserve. W. M. Wallace, the Auckland captain, declared the innings closed at the overnight score. When play was resumed this morning frequent showers handicapped the Auckland bowlers, making the ball greasy and the wicket easy. E W. Tindill and J. Duffy Started the Wellington innings at 11 a.m. Taking no risks, they set out to dig themselves in against good length bowling by Cleverley and Prentice, Both showed confidence, and 50 runs came up in 63 minutes. At the luncheon adjournment the board showed 88 runs on without the loss of a wicket (Tindill 44, Duffy 38). ' Upon resuming at 2.5 p.m. the batsmen continued to get runs despite frequent bowling changes. The stubborn partnership was broken after play had been in progress for three hours. Tindill attempted to drive a delivery from Kerr and was clean bowled. Though he had hit only three 4’s, he had assisted Duffv to put on 139 runs for the first wicket, the best opening stand made by Wellington batsmen for many years. Rice, the Wellington captain, then joined Duffy, who was 57, and the score moved along in drizzling rain to 153. At 3.30 p.m. a heavy shower caused a cessation of play, the score then standing at 153 for one wicket. The rain continued, and eventually the umpires drew stumps at 5.15 p.m. The Auckland bowlers stuck to their uphill task with great heart. All performed well, and Wallace used them with judgment. The fielding was'smart and clean throughout and few runs were given away. Details:— Auckland First innings 403 for 9 wickets (declared) Wellington First Innings E. W. Tindill, b Kerr 73 J. Duffy, not out 66 H. F. Rice, not out 5 Extras 9 Total (for one wicket) .. .. 153 Bowling.—Prentice, no wickets for 44 runs; Cleverley, none for 16; Burke, none for 15; Cleal, none for 12; Kerr, one for 10; Hemmingson, none for 11.