PLUNKET SHIELD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 304, 26 December 1945, Page 3

PLUNKET SHIELD

WELLINGTON IN GOOD POSITION MATCH WITH OTAGO TEAM. (P.A.) *Wellington, Dec. 26. Alter two-days’ play Wellington is in a comfortable position against Otago, in the Plunket Shield cricket match which opened at the Basin Reserve yesterday. In the first innings Wellington totalled 322, and when stumps tvere drawn al 4.47 p.m. today, Otago had lost four wlcKets lor 68 runs. Features of the first day’s play were a delightful innings by T. Barber, a young Old Boys’ batsimeh, a dour, colourless, but wonderfully valuable knock by Wiren, who batted for approximatey five hours for 84, and a return to form by Rowe, Wellington’s most successful batsman' last season, who had been unable to get going in club matches. Wiren opened Wellington’s inning; on a fast wicket under ideal conditions and was not dismissed till 5.10 p.m. when he attempted an almost impossible short-run, and was run out. Though most interesting to watch his patient wearing down of the bowling had a beneficial influence on the general success of Wellington’s innings. After a rather indifferent start, J. Ell opened the innings with Wiren, but had just entered double figures when he over-reached to leg, a ball from Roberts and was brilliantly stumped by Mills. Duffy and Wiren were then associated in a slow partnership. The former was shaping well when he played an outside inswinger from Harwood, and was clean bowled. Rice was brilliantly caught in the slips by Bellamy when 12, off a rising sw nger from Silver. With three wickets down for 74 runs Wellington’s position did not look secure, but a delightful knock by Barber, raised the hopes of local supporters. Using his reach, and showing the greatest freedom, Barber raced to 45 when he was run out. Rowe scored freely all round the wicket.

With six wickets down for 257 Rowe (72) and Cave (1) resumed Wellington’s first innings at 2 p.m. today. Rowe failed to add to his score. Hatch followed, but was clean bowled by Silver, and eight wickets were down for 261. Buchan and Cave took the score to 277, where Cave was stumped. Allen, last man, arrived to see Buchan open out on the bowling and quickly run into double figures. An aole-spirited last-wicket stand closed at 3.45 for a total of 322.

For Otago Roberts put up a fine bowling performance in sending down 46 overs, 24 maidens, for one wicket. Silver also bowled with great heart in taking four wickets for 83 runs off 32 overs,

After the tea adjournment Mills and Bellamy, opened Otago’s innings, taking the score to 34, where Mills was clean bowled by Buchan. Bellamy was then snapped up behind the wickets. Fraser and Baker carried on till Rowe took Baker smartly in the slips and three wickets were down for 48. With the total at 52, Fraser was clean bowled by a particularly good delivery by Buchan. At 5.47 p.m. an appeal against the light which had been dull throughout the afternoon was upheld and stumps were drawn with the score standing at 68 for four wickets, Watt 5 not out and Roberts 7 not out. Details:—

Wellington.—First innings: J. Ell, ct. Mills, b Roberts 12; A. Wiren, run out 84; J. Duffy b Harwood, 21; H. F. Rice, c Bellamy, b Silver 12; C. G. Rowe, b Silver. 72; R. Y. Barber, run out, 45; F. H. L. Mooney, c Mills, b Silver, 5; H. B. Cave, ct. Mills, b Harwood, 12; 11. K. Hatch, b Silver, 0; R. Buchan, c Harwood, b Smith 37;- R. Allen, not out, 10; extras, byes, 8; leg byes, 4; total, 322. Bowling: Silver 32 overs. 8 maidens, 83 runs, 4 wickets; Roberts, 46 overs. 24 maidens, 39 runs, 1 wicket; Freeman, 31 overs, 4 maidens, 82 runs, 0 wickets; Harwood, 33 overs, 8 maidens, 56 runs, 2 wickets; L. Smith 15.3 overs, 5 maidens, 27 runs, 1 wicket; Fraser, 1 over, 0 maiden, 3 runs, 0 wickets.

Otago.—First innings: G. Mills, b Buchan, 8; F. Bellamy, c Mooney, b Hatch, 24; T. B. Fraser, b Buchan,'s; L. Baker, c Rowe, b Hatch, 9; L. Watt, not out 5; A. W. Roberts, not out. 1; extras, byes, 4; leg byes, 6; total for four wickets, 68.

Bowling: Hatch 15, 3, 29, 2; Buchan, 18, 10, 22, 2; Cave, 5,0, 7,0; Allen, 2,2, 0, 0.