STRONG POSITION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 2

STRONG POSITION

OTAGO CRICKETERS WELLINGTON BATSMEN SLOW FLUCTUATING FORTUNES (By Telegraph.—Press Association) DUNEDIN. Monday In the final Plunket Shield match of the season between Otago and Wellington Otago has recovered from the position of facing a deficit of 82 on the first innings and losing six for 120 in its second attempt to that of having only the last two Wellington batsmen to dismiss and 94 runs in hand. Otago carried its second innings yesterday from 287 for eight wickets to 351 and captured eight Wellington wickets for 175. Weather in contrast with that of the first two days marked the resumption of Otago’s innings, though a heavy fall during the night softened the wicket. Rainbird was still keeping wickets, Tindill being confined to his bed, while Holden (Otago) was fielding for Hepburn, who has been indisposed throughout the match. Fraser’s invaluable innings ended for 118 when the total was 319, Ashenden catching him at second slip. Fraser had batted for over four hours, and his score included seven fours. Mills, who was partnered with Lemin, the last man. swelled the total to 330 with two successive fours off Ashenden, whom he lifted to long on for a spectacular six to reach 50. Then his and Otago’s innings ended, Mills being caught at mid-on. Wellington’s Task Requiring 270 runs to win, Wellington opened its second innings with McLeod and Wrigley half an hour before the luncheon adjournment on a wicket that was still very easy. With the score at 15 for one wicket play was interrupted by a shower that persisted until the adjournment. Wellington required 270 in its second innings for an outright win, but at no stage of the day looked like a winning side. Only E. G. McLeod, W. G. Rainbird and D. S. Wilson showed form worthy of their reputations. Rainbird held the side together for nearly two hours. With him out the Otago bowlers were in full charge. Details:— OTAGO First Innings 138 Second Innings D. A. R. Moloney, lbw. b Wilson 33 G. J. Robertson, c Wrigley, b Pritchard 11 A. S. H. Cutler, b Ashenden ... 16 C. J. Elmes, b Pritchard 17 H. R. Cameron, b Pritchard 18 -T» C. Fraser, c Ashenden, b Pritchard 118 T. Chettleburgh, c Wilson, b Whyte 5 C. G. D. Toomey, c du Chateau, b McLeod 51 V. J. Leader, c Wrigley, b McLeod 9 G. H. Mills, c McLeod, b Ashenden 50 Lemin, not out 1 Extras 22 Total 351 Bowling.—Pritchard took four wickets for 107, Ashenden two for 97, Wilson one for 73, Whyte one for 45, McLeod two for 7. WELLINGTON First Innings 220 Second Innings E. J. McLeod, c Elmes, b Moloney 28 O. Wrigley, c Mills, b Lemin .. 6 W. G. Rainbird, c and b Moloney 46 J. A. Ongley, c Cutler, b Moloney 6 V. H. Du Chateau, c Mills, b Lemin 13 D. S. Wilson, c Moloney, b Elmes 32 W. F. Airey, b Lemin 2 T. Pritchard, b Moloney 7 E. W. Tindill, not out 6 G. L. Whyte, not out 14 Extras 15 Total for eight wickets ... 175 Bowling.—Lemin took three wickets for 20 runs, Robertson none for 18, Elmes one for 40, Leader none for 35, Moloney four for 47.