AUCKLAND LEADS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26350, 3 January 1947, Page 6

AUCKLAND LEADS

COMMANDING POSITION OTAGO’S SECOND INNINGS OPENED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 2. By compiling 349 runs in the first innings in reply to Otago’s 153, Auckland played itself into a commanding position in the Plunket Shield cricket match at Eden Park after two days' play. Batting for 47 minutes in the second innings, Otago made 36 runs for no wickets. When play was resumed this morning, Auckland had 86 runs on the board for the loss of two wickets, V. J. Scott being 31 not out and W. M. Wallace 25 not out. The weather conditions were much better than on the first day, while the wicket and outfield were fast. Wallace Opens Freely The Auckland captain commenced freely, and passed Scott after half an hour’s batting. The century came up In 164 minutes, Wallace taking two 4’s off Overton and running to 50 after 86 minutes’ batting. He was out at 58 when he played a spinner from Robinson on to his front leg, the ball rebounding through his legs and going on to the wickets. In the partnership with Scott, Wallace added 85 runs. He batted for 105 minutes and hit six 4’s. Scott, in the meantime, plodded along in stubborn style. Sutcliffe was not too happy at the start and stood on 13 for 20 minutes. Scott reached the fifties in 209 minutes, having added only 19 runs to his overnight total this morning in 111 minutes. A sudden and decidedly refreshing change followed the adjournment, when Sutcliffe opened out to play some beautifullytimed drives and leg shots to the delight of the spectators. He and Scott also ran some well-judged singles. Scott’s long and over-patient innings came to a close when, at 56, he was caught behind the wickets. He batted for 344 minutes, and hit only one four. Colts Perform Well Joined by the other colt of the team, D. D. Taylor, Sutcliffe continued in bright style until, at 71, he was well . caught in the slips by Roberts off McDougall. After batting for 120 minutes Sutcliffe finished the highest scorer, and hit nine 4’s. Taylor closely followed him with 70, and also gave a good display. He was not afraid to use his feet and brought off some fine drives as a result, while scoring nicely on the leg side at times. He reached his 50 in 117 minutes, and in all batted for 163 minutes. He hit five 4’s and six 3’s. Auckland’s innings lasted for 439 minutes. Hadlee, the. Otago captain, handled his attack-well, and his placing of the field was excellent. The Australian coach, Robinson, ended with the best bowling'figures in taking three wickets for 64 runs. He was always testing the batsmen with a mixture of spinners, good length, and change of pace. The Otago fielding was again good all round. G. H. Mills, the wicketkeeper, was not up to his best form. He missed three catches and did not take the ball as cleanly as usual. Hadlee (20) and Mills (13) were batting confidently at stumps in Otago’s second innings, although Mills at 12 was missed by Cowie in the slips off Burke. Scores: OTAGO First innings 153 Second Innings W. A. Hadlee, not out 20 G. H. Mills, not out 13 Extras 3 Total for no wickets .. .. 36 Bowling ’ O. M. R. W.

AUCKLAND First Innings P. E. Whitelaw,' b Overton .... 11 G. C. Burgess, c St. John, b Robin- . son 12 i V. J. Scott, c Mills, b Overton .. 56 W. M. Wallace, b Robinson .. .. 58 B. Sutcliffe, c Roberts, b McDougall 71 D. D. Taylor b Robinson .. .. 70 A. V. Wiles, lbw, b McDougall .. 5 L. Kent, c Roberts, b Freeman .. 17 C. Burke, b McDougall 17 C. A. Snedden, c Blakely, b Overton .. 14 J. Cowie, not out 0 Extras 18 ' Total ..' 34*9

HAWKE CUP MATCH (P.A.) PALMERSTON N.. Jan. 2. In the second Hawke Cup match of the season, which began here to-day, Waikato, the challengers, batted first and made 81, J H. Everest (68) being the mainstay of the team. The Manawatu bowling was not hostile, but was consistent and uniformly accurate. A few minutes after the tea adjournment, Manawatu began its first innings disastrously, losing one wicket for no runs. McVlcar and D. Bowden, however, took the sting out of the Waikato bowling, and 'at stumps Manawatu was in a favourable position, having lost two wickets for 60 runs.

A. V. Wiles ... 4 2 7 — C. A. Snedden 5 1 10- — C. Burke 5 1 5 — J. Cowie 4 — 11 —

R. Bowling O. M. H. Robinson 28 6 R. 64 W. 3 A. W. McDougall 32 6 68 3 G. Overton .. 39.111 78 3 T. A Freeman 13 1 33 1 A. W. Roberts 19 7 35 — L. D. Smith 19 4 52 — W. A. Hadlee 1 — 1 —