FIGHT FOR RUNS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20996, 26 December 1939, Page 6

FIGHT FOR RUNS

PLUNKET SHIELD MATCH

WELLINGTON’S BIG TASK PRITCHARD’S GREAT BOWLING (By Telegraph.—i ress Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The last Auckland wicket showed unexpected opposition when the Plunket Shield match at the Basin Reserve was resumed today. Auckalnd had scored 254 for nine wickets at stumps but Cleverley and Cowie took the total to 276, when Pritchard bowled Cowie and claimed his sixth victim for 66 runs, Ashenden claiming the other three at a cost of 83 runs. Cowie scored 24 and Cleverley 8 not out. This left Wellington with 247 to get to win. Wilson appealed confidently but unsuccessfully against Cowie for leg before off the third ball of his first over. Next over Cleverley played Ashenden to short leg for a single and then Cowie lifted Ashenden high to the square leg boundary. Pritchard relieved Wilson and with the second ball Cleverley was dropped by Ashenden at second slip. The last ball of the over, a full toss, struck Cleverley a painful blow on the right thigh, but he was able to continue.

Looking For Runs Cowie was itching for runs. He was standing out of his crease to Pritchard and was advancing to meet Ashenden. He got Ashenden away with a high niblick shot for a pair and then slammed him to the on-fence. The wicket, although pleasantly free from the dust of the opening days, had not been materially affected by the rain overnight. A sharp cold shower from the south now started and in the downpour that followed Cowie fell to Pritchard. He had made 24 and gave Pritchard his sixth wicket. Wellington started its second innings in driving rain, Hepburn putting Cowie’s first ball to the leg boundary. Hepburn was batting brightly and he raised 10 by turning Matheson to fine leg for four. With the score at 19, however, Du Chateau, who never had been comfortable, was bowled by Cowie at 4. Although the wicket had been comparatively unaffected by the rain it became apparent when Hepburn and Tindill indulged in healthy driving that the outfield had slowed considerably. Both batsmen were playing confidently, but through no fault of theirs the cricket was generally sluggish. In the first hour only 12 overs were bowled, and delays brought barracking from the crowd. Auckland was fielding two substitutes, Sale suffering from a bruised right arm and Pearson having a bad bruise over the heart. Auckland tried four bowlers before lunch, but neither batsmen appeared worried, Hepburn scoring in neat singles and well-timed pairs. Tindill was taking matters more quietly. Wellington’s score at the luncheon adjournment was 51 for one wicket. Hepburn, in 32, Tindill, in 11. MATCH AT CHRISTCHURCH DELAYED OWING TO RAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday Following heavy rain the resumption of the Plunket Shield match between Canterbury and Otago, was delayed till later in the day. A further inspection will be made at noon. Yesterday’s play is detailed on Page 7. PROVINCIAL TOURNEY SECOND MATCHES COMMENCED The second series of one-day matches in the Provincial cricket tournament were commenced at Seddon Park this afternoon, having been delayed owing to rain in the morning. Waikato are playing Auckland B and at the time of going to press had lost one wicket for 5 runs (Lyon 0, Lissette, in 4; J. Everest, in 1). Poverty Bay are batting against City and Suburban and have lost one wicket for 10 runs.