SENSATIONAL CRICKET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 9

SENSATIONAL CRICKET

AUCKLAND BEATS OTAGO LOSERS LET GAME SLIP THROUGH FINGERS COLLAPSE OF BATSMEN [ Per Press Association. J DUNEDIN, Jan. 4. Sensational cricket was seen on the fourth day of the Plunket Shield cricket match between Auckland and Otago. After appearing to be reasonably certain of a win on the first innings, Otago let the game slip through its lingers and some line aggressive batting by the Aucklanders turned seeming defeat into an outright win. Continuing its second innings, Otago was all out for 148. Vivian bowled well for an average of five wickets for 46 runs. Needing 203 to win Auckland made 205 for three wickets with half an hour to spare. Leader took three of the wickets that fell. The match entered on its final stage at Carisbrook Ground this morning, which was again beautifully line, though it was expected that the strong cross-wind would assist the Auckland bowlers, especially J. Cowie and A. M. Matheson. The pair resumed the attack to Otago's opening pair, K. F. M. Uttley tl) and G. J. Rooertson (9). The first incident, after a run of singles, came when Robertson forced a shortball from Matheson to the on for 3. He was more forceful than Uttley, the Otago captain being almost too cautious. A strong drive to the long on boundary by Robertson off H. G. Vivian, who had taken over from Matheson, took the score to 30, but in Cowies lifth over Robertson was bowled by a ball that whipped back sharply. One end of the wicket was torn in places, and at times Cowie was making the ball kick awkwardly. The total was now 34 and Uttley was joined by C. K. Saxton who opened nicely by square cutting a delivery from Vivian for 4. Then Uttley went through trying to hook one from Vivian that came back slightly. He had never looked like being among the runs, an indication of his laboured batting being that his eight singles took nearly an hour to get. The incomer was A. R. Knight and it appeared that he snicked the second ball he received to second slip. However, he was given the benefit of the doubt. Now there was some very uncertain batting, both Saxton and Knight patting the ball uncomfortably. The score crept to 50 which had taken 70 minutes. Bowlers on Top. Now the bowlers were on top and a single was quite an event. At long last Saxon put some force behind a shot and turned one from A. J. Postles, a newcomer in place of Cowie, to square leg for 4. Shortly after his partner was out. Knight attempting to force a ball from Vivian to the on and mistiming his stroke, the ball taking his middle pin. Knight took nearly an hour for his 12. The score was three for bG and immediately C. J. Elmes came in Saxton left, Postles beating him with a ball to which the batsman made a poor stroke. There was perhaps some hope that G. H. Mills, who had made a century in the first innings, might be able to change Otago’s fading grip on the game, but it was not to be. He only made one before he put his leg in front of a straight one from Postles. Three wickets had fallen with the addition of only three runs to the total, which was now 68 for five. Postle's average was two for 12. The batsmen had to contend with a crumbling wicket, the bowlers having broken it up a lot at both ends. D. A. R. Moloney joined Elmes and they were together when the luncheon adjournment was taken. Otago.

Bowling.—Purdue, none for 32; Silver, none for 39; Moloney, none for 28; Leader, three for 58; Elmes, none for 26.

First Inninas Second Inning s. Robertson, b Cowie Uttley, b Vivian 8 Saxton, b Postles 17 Knight, b Vivian 12 Elmes, b Cowie 43 Mills, lbw., b Postles 1 Moloney, c and b Vivian 16 Fraser, c Postles, Vivian 0 Leader, b Vivian 7 Silver, run out i 2 Purdue, not out 0 Extras 6 Total 148 Bowling. 0. M. R. W. Cowie 13.2 1 38 2 Weir 4 0 12 Vivian 25 8 46 it Matheson 6 1 11 0 Postles 10 0 35 2 Auckland. First Innings 373 Second Innings. Postles, c Moloney, b Leader 11 Whitelaw, not out Wallace, c Uttley, 72 b Leader 21 Vivian, c Fraser, b Leader 40 Sale, not out 43 Extras — 18 Total for three wickets .. 205