BACKS TO THE WALL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27273, 27 December 1949, Page 6

BACKS TO THE WALL

Otago Cricketers In Plunket Shield Match

SLOW RATE OF SCORING

After one of the grimmest struggles seen at the Basin Reserve, with the bowlers making effective use of the strong wind, Wellington gained a first innings lead of six runs in the Plunket Shield cricket match against Otago, and at stumps on the second day, Otago, with four wickets down for 94 runs, had their backs to the wall. The batting of both sides was extraordinarily slow. Otago took 268 minutes to score 144, and Wellington’s 150 occupied 219 minutes. Otago’s 94 for four wickets in their second innings occupied 140 minutes. Much of the slow scoring was due to the bowlers using the strong wind to swing the ball away on the leg side. With the leg field well packed, the batsmen left these deliveries alone.

If the batting was tedious, however, there were sufficient dramatic incidents to keep the crowd deeply interested. The first of these occurred in Otago’s first innings, when R. McK. Murray accomplished the hat trick. It was the fifth hat trick in 43 years of shield cricket, and was an excellent effort by this young player, who has already had a good season. He had McGregor and Haig caught and then bowled Mills.

On the second day Wellington's struggle to pass Otago’s total proved an intensely exciting affair. Three runs were required when the last batsman, A. E. Creswell, joined Mooney: Though regarded as a "rabbit,” Cresswell received a big ovation when he perfectly cover drove Overton for 4. The Wellington innings ended shortly after when Mills brilliantly stumped Mooney on the leg side. The mainstay of the Wellington innings were the three New Zealand representatives, Rabone, Reid, and Mooney. Two beautifully timed 6’s were included in Reid’s

47. Overton was the outstanding Otago bowler. Both with and against the wind, he maintained excellent control. i Otago had four wickets down for 48 runs in the second innings when rain caused a break for 30 minutes. This proved beneficial to the batting side, as the bowlers did not have the same control on resuming. Two brilliant catches were features of this innings. Ongley beautifully snapped up a low drive by Sutcliffe, and A. E. Cresswell dived to catch Hunt at midon off his brother’s bowling. The takings for the two days were £7Ol. Scores:—

OTAGO First Innings Sutcliffe, c Reid, b Randall .. .. 29 Hunt, b A. E. Cresswell 62 Roberts, run out 22 McGregor, c Reid, b Murray .. 1 Haig, c Ongley, b Murray .. .. 0 Mills, b Murray 0 Watson, bG. F. Cresswell .. .. 9 Smith, c and b G. F. Cresswell .. 3 Groves, b Randall 2 Overton, c Mooney, b Randall .. 0 W»lsh, not out 2 Extras (byes 3, leg-byes 6, no ’ balls 5) 14

■ Total 144 Fall of wickets: 50, 93, 116, 116, 116, 116, 133, 137, 140, 141, 144.

Second Innings Sutcliffe, c Ongley, b Randall .. 17 Hunt, c A. E. Cresswell, b G. F. Cresswell 18 Roberts, not out .. 35 McGregor, c Ongley, b Randall .. 0 Haig, c Mooney, bG. F. Cresswell 1 Mills, not out 8 Extras (byes 4, leg-byes 8, no balls 3) 15 Total for four wickets .. 94 Fall of wickets: 39, 39, 39, 48.

' WELLINGTON First Innings McVicar, c Groves, b Overton .. 5 Rabone, c Watson, b Smith .. .. 32 Ongley, c Walsh, b Watson .. .. 11 Kemp, b Overton 4 Reid, st Mills, b Watson .. .. 47 Dempster, c Mills, b Overton .. 14 Mooney, st Mills, b Overton. ~ 22 Murray, b Overton 1 Randall, lbw, b Watson .... 0 G. F. Cresswell, b Watson .. ~ 0 A. E. Cresswell, not out .. .. 4 Extras (byes 8, leg-byes 3, wide 1) 10 Total •• 150 Fall of wickets: 9, 31, 38, 73, 104, 135, 136, 142, 142, 150.

Bowling O. M. R. W. A. E. Cresswell .. 17 6 19 1 G. F. Cresswell .. 28 15 23 2 Reid 10 — 29 — Randall .. .. 19 5 34 3 Rabone 8 3 12 — Murray .. .. 9 4 13 3

Bowling 0. M. R. W. A. E. Cresswell . . 13 2 29 — G. F. Cresswell . . 23 12 29 2 Randall . 11 9 5 2 Reid 2 2 16 - Murray . 3 —

Overton Bowling O. M. .. .. 29.112 R. 60 W. 5 Walsh i. .. .. 12 2 30 — Watson .. .. .. 11 4 26 '4 Groves .. .... 1 — 2 — Smith ' .. .. .. 12 3 20 1 Roberts .. .. .. 3 1 2 —