COLT’S FINE BOWLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26980, 15 January 1949, Page 8

COLT’S FINE BOWLING

Stubborn Innings By Mooney HOME TEAM’S POOR START Features of the first day’s play in the final match of Plunket Shield series, the vital game between Wellington and Otago, at Carisbrook yesterday were an outstanding bowling performance for Otago by I. Walsh, who, making his first appearance in shield cricket; took five wickets for 76 runs, and the grand fighting knock of F. L. H. Mooney, whose 89, not out, played no small part in retrieving Wellington’s fortunes after a disastrous start, the visitors batting until, 5.10 p.m. when they were all out for 245* runs. In the 40 minutes that were left for play, Otago lost two good wickets, and at stumps 23 runs were on the board.

It was a day full of interest to a crowd which during the afternoon increased to about 3000 and paid £lB6 10s in admission. There was sufficient of incident to hold the interest of the spectators -throughout, and on the typical Carisbrook wicket, which had been prepared by the groundsman, Mr A. Ross, it was an excellent performance for Otago to dismiss so strong a batting side as Wellington undoubtedly possesses for a total of 245 runs. Although there was some dampness in the early morning and the ball popped occasionally, the wicket played very truly for the rest of the day. The weather was a little dull at the outset with a slight south-easterly breeze, but the §kies cleared and the afternoon was bright and sunny, with the playing conditions almost perfect. Wellington won the toss. Messrs S. Tomkinson and J. A. Young were the umpires.

It was largely due. to a sensational burst by the young North-East Valley right-hand medium-paced bowler, Walsh, that Wellington lost three valuable wickets in the first 40 minutes with only 35 runs showing, and it was not until Mooney, joined his captain, J. A. Ongley, that fears of a collapse by the visitors were dispelled. Thrills for the crowd began with the very first ball of the match from G. W. F. Overton, also right-hand fastmedium, for the left-hander, E. W. T. Tindill gave what appeared to be a very difficult chance to Walsh at legsVp, but the fieldsman did not hold the ball. Opinions varied as to whether it was a catch, but the wicketkeeper, G. H. Mills, stated that the ball first hit the ground from the bat and then rose sharply to Walsh. Tindill was not particularly comfortable. however, facing either Overton or Walsh, but it was his opening partner, G. Rabone, who was the first to go, the latter being bowled with a ball that swung very late. He had scored only two runs in the 16 minutes he had been at the crease, and the total stood at 10. There was an air of expectancy when J,-Reid, the brilliant young Wellington batsman, came to the wicket, and he was Quickly into his stride, his first scoping strokes being a 2 and 4 to leg off Walsh- Reid scored with clean and crisp strokes all; round the wicket, but after Walsh had bowled four overs for 11 runs, L. D. Smith took over the attack, and Walsh came on again at the other end in place of Overton, operating with the breeze. Walsh was keeping the ball well up to the batsmen, and off the last ball of his fifth over he completely beat Reid with another ball which swung late, and the latter was. bowled after scoring 19 in 25 minutes, including three 4’s. Walsh was now bowling with real hostility, and in his next over claimed his third wicket when he bowled R. J. Kemp without addition to the score, three wickets being down for 35. Ongley joined Tindill, and the 50 came up in 60 minutes. Tindill was getting most of his runs to leg, but was out to a weak stroke when facing L J. Grovfes, the right-hand slow legspinner, who had taken up the attack from Smith. Tindill made a halfhearted pull, and was caught by N. McGregor at mid-on. His 21 occupied 72 minutes. Solid Partnership ‘ Four wickets were down for 57 when Mooney joined Ongley at 12.15, and together this pair set about the task of restoring the position for Wellington. Ongley had been going along steadily, getting most of his runs with powerful cover and off drives. He was particularly effective in finding gaps in the covers, and Mooney started quietly but confidently, his defence heing very solid. D. S. St. John bowled the last over before lunch, and at this stage Wellington had lost four wickets for 99 runs—Ongley 36, Mooney 12. . R. H. Robinson operated the attack after lunch, and the 100 appeared in 123 minutes. The former Australian player slowed down the rate of scoring, but it was Overton who ended what had been an invaluable partnership to Wellington. Ongley edged a ball from Overton to Groves, at second slip, Groves deflecting it to L. A. Milnes, who juggled with it and held the catch. Ongley batted 105 minutes in compiling 48, which included six 4’s, the partnership being worth 65 runs. Mooney was associated in another serviceable partnership with the tall and rangy batsman, D. S. Wilson, who began brightly and scored fairly freely from the outset. When St. John made what was for him a poor return wide of the wicket the ball sped to the boundary, and Mooney was creditec with a 5 off Overton. Wilson gave a hard chance to Watt off Overton when he had scored 6, but, scoring steadily with hooks and pulls, he brought 150 up in 193 minutes. For a while after lunch Walsh had been bowling a little short, and Wilson showed he relished these shorterpitched deliveries by opening his shoulders and driving them hard to the boundary. Mooney continued to carry his score along, mainiy with very neat placing shots, but when the pair had added 61 runs in 62 minutes. Wilson, who scored 36, pulled a ball from Walsh round to Robinson at mid-on, the Australian accepting the catch. Included in Wilson’s scoring strokes were six 4’s • Six wickets were down for 183 when "T. P. Reaney came in. and although his stay was a short one the newcomer provided some excitement while he was at the. crease. First he was dropped by Milnes off Robinson when he had scored 1, and then he had another escape when Mills failed to gather cleanly a hard return from Robinson at square-leg as Reaney s partner sent him scampering back to the crease. Reaney did not add to his score, however, before Walsh, who was again bowling with plenty of venom, beat him with a yorker. Mooney had reached 50 in 151 minutes and at the tea adjournment, seven wickets were down for 190—Mooney 51, H. B. Cave 1. Walsh had taken five wickets for 65 runs. Cave was at the crease 18 minutes before opening his account, and the 200 appeared on the board after 255 minutes’ play. He had scored onlv 6 when Groves dismissed him with a smart catch in the slips off Overton s bowling. The score sheet read 213 for eight wickets, when the left-

hander, C. L. Randall, came in, but he made only 1 before he reached forward to an off-break from Smith and .edged it into the slips, Milnes running forward with arms outstretched to take the catch. A. E. Cresswell was the last man, and he caused some amusement by waving his partner back when it looked as though he might have to face the slow bowling. Cresswell, however, kept his end up valiantly while Mooney, manipulating the bowling cleverly, made neat placements for 2’s and singles, usually managing to keep the bowling at the end of an over. The innings, which occupied 306 minutes, closed for 245 at 5.10 p.m. when Robinson had Cresswell caught at mid-on by Walsh. Cresswell scored only 5, but the partnership was worth 31 runs Mooney was unbeaten with 89, batting 231 minutes and hitting two 4’s and a 5. He did not give the semblance of a chance, playing an excellent innings for his side.

Impressive Shield Debut The Otago attack was always very steady, being lifted from the ordinary by the determination and venom shown by Walsh. The young North-East Valley played bowled with great heart throughout, his final figures being five for 76 off 32 overs of which eight were maidens. In the morning especially he bowled a most disconcerting out-swinger of good length, and though his length suffered a little after lunch he regained control and his policy of attacking the stumps paid handsome dividends. His was a most impressive performance in his first shield match.

The attack was excellently handled by the captain. Smith, and the bowlers gave nothing away. Although Walsh’s effort was the most, sensational of the match, the others gave him spirited support. Overton especially bowled with plenty of vim and though he did not attack the stumps so persistently as the younger player he was always treated with respect, his final figures being two for 66 of 27 overs. He was swinging in to the right-hand batsmen, and brought an occasional ball back from the off. Groves turned the ball perceptibly, but his length was somewhat erratic and he was inclined to overpitch. Robinson and the left-hander, Smith bore the brunt of the slow bowling, and both were comparatively inexpensive. Robinson’s 19.5 overs included 11 maidens and his one wicket was obtained at a cost of 22 runs. Smith showed a good command of length and also turned the ball slightly from leg He bowled 22 overs for 34 runs and one wicket. Otago’s fielding, as in the north, was first class. One or two difficult chances were not accepted, and there were occasional lapses in throwing in, ’but as a rule the ground work was of a high standard, Smith, St- John, and Robinson standing out, with Groves shaping well in the slips. Although Mills was a little less consistent than usual behind the wicket, some of his work was particularly effective. Disastrous Start With 40 minutes left to bat, Otago lost the wickets of R. T. Hunt and R. H- Robinson with only 14 runs showing. Hunt was bowled off the first ball of Cave’s third over with one that kept low when he had scored 7, and Robinson, who failed to score, was out leg-before-wicket to one which swung in and straightened up. Watt, who had opened with Hunt, played out time with St. John, and at stumps the score was 23 for two wickets —Watt 6, St. John 2. Cave bowled with plenty of fire, and his one wicket was obtained at a cost

of six runs from six overs, Cresswell taking one for nine off the same number of overs. * Scores:— Wellington First Innings

E. W. T. Tindill, c McGregor, b Groves .. •• 21 G. Rabone, b Walsli .. 2 J. Reid, b Walsh 19 R. J. Kemp, b Walsh 0 J. A. Ongley, c Milnes, b Overton 48 F. L. H. Mooney, not out .. 89 D. S. Wilson, c Robinson, b Walsh 36 T. P. Reaney, b Walsh 1 H. B. Cave, c Groves, b Overton .. 6 C. L. Randall, c Milnes, b Smith 1 A. E. Cresswell, c Walsh, b Robinson .. .. 5 Extras (byes 10, leg-byes 7) 17 Total 245 Fall of wickets: 1/10, 2/35, 3/35, 4/57, 5/122, 6/183, 7/189, 8/213, 9/214, 10/245. Bowling Analysis O. M. R. W. G- W. F. Overton 27 8 66 2 I. Walsh 32 8 76 5 L. D. Smith .... 21 5 34 1 R. H. Robinson .. 19.5 11 22 1 L. J. Groves .. .. 8 1 30 1 D. S. St. John .. 1 1 — Otago First Innings R. T. Hunt, b Cave 7 L. A. Watt, not out 6 R. H. Robinson, lbw. b Cresswell 0 D S. St. John, not out 2 Extras (byes 7, leg-bye 1) .. 8 Total for two wickets .. 23 Fall of wickets: 1/9, 2/14. ■ O. M. R. W. A. E. Cresswell .. 6 2 9 1 H, B- Cave .... 6 36 1