STRONG ATTACK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27274, 28 December 1949, Page 7

STRONG ATTACK

WELLINGTON BOWLERS OTAGO BATSMEN DISAPPOINT Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, Dec. 27. Though the wicket had rolled out easy and the outfield was much faster for the third day, Otago still found runs hard to get when they resumed their innings with four wickets down for 94 runs. With the exception perhaps of a good spin bowler, the present Wellington attack measures up to the best pre-war standard, and it was not entirely surprising that the Otago batsmen were pinned down. More runs were expected today, however, in the greatly improved conditions, but Otago appears to have little rungetting powers after the first four or five batsmen. The present side is headed by. a brilliafit cricketer in Sutcliffe, with a solid opener in Hunt and a grand first wicket down batsman in the ' veteran Roberts. Unless, however, these can give the side a good start the best results are not likely to be seen from young cricketers such as McGregor and Haig. ,It would be idle to suggest that this side compares in all-round batting strength with many former Otago teams. Roberts and Mills added 28 runs to the overnight score. Neither appeared unduly worried by Randall, but the Cresswell brothers kept them quiet. Murray replaced G. F. Cresswell who had been bowling mswin’gers more at the wicket than on the previous two days. Murray’s outswingers immediately dissolved this partnership. After Mills had twice punched him through the covers, he failed to get properly over another ball and snicked it to Reid at first slip Watson, the incoming batsman, repeated his first day’s display. He shaped well and then suddenly lost - concentration, swinging at a slower ball from Murray, which he skied to mid-off. Shortly after, Roberts’s patient ’ innings came to an end. He drove a half volley from Murray hard to mid-on, where Randall took a good catch. His 73 runs in this match brought his Plunket shield ajrerregate to 2405. Those ahead of him are R. C. Blunt (2597) and J. S. Hiddleston (2591). Groves and Smith made useful contributions, but there was not much kick left in the Otago batting, and the ) innings closed for 174, compiled in 302 ? minutes. I Despite accurate bowling, mainly by :!■ Overton, Wellington made easy work | of the 169 runs required for an outright win. Rabone was run out with I th % score at 5, when chasing a short 1 single, but McVicar plodded along steadily, while Ongley, and later Reid, provided much attractive stroke play, ?l R e id hitting a beautiful 6 off Walsh. I The North-East Valley bowler was I gteady without unduly worrying the I batsmen. I Overton plugged away at both ends, I an d always commanded respect, f Groves sent down some very good overs. At one stage he bowled tyro successive maiden overs to Reid, but later this batsman thrice powerfully hooked him to the boundary. Smith, Sutcliffe and McGregor were fre- [ quently applauded for good fielding. 1 Smith kept his side at their task right up to the last ball. He gave nothing away, but he could not stem Wellington’s sure progress to victory.