GOOD START

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 103, 14 February 1950, Page 4

GOOD START

ASHBURTON PLAY . CANTERBURY ONE FOR 103 AT LUNCH x Taking first innings on a wicket which was dead after the recent rain, Ashburton began well this morning in the representative cricket game against Canterbury. At the luncheon adjournment, after play had been in progress for 105 minutes, 'the home side had made 103 for the loss of one wicket. , The visitors fielded a strong side, including four Plunket Shield players in J. G. Leggatt, W. Bell, M. E. Chapjile and R. T. Dowker. P. O’Malley, another in the original selection, was unable to make the trip. Though there was very little breeze, it was very cold when L. Kerr and D. Smith opened the Ashburton innings at 11.15 this morning. J. Harliwich and H. McCree were the first pair of trundlers, and they could get little assistance from the wicket. Both batsmen were cautious in the early stages,but looked thoroughly at home. After 45 minutes, Bell came on and his first ball accounted for Kerr, who was very unlucky; the*batsman played late at a rather short-pitched delivery, connected all right, but, in doing so, knocked off a bail. Kerr, who had then scored 10 of the 23 registered, was just starting.to open out a bit. I. Griffiths joined Smith and this pair held the fort until the luncheon adjournment. Both scored at a steady pace, and took full toll of anything loose, with an especial liking for the slow howler Bell, whose 10 overs cost 28 runs, though on occasions he had the batsmen “feeling” for him. Chappie, who sent down four overs at a run apiece, appeared the most dangerous trundler. P. Harris bowled nine fivers for 20 runs, Harliwich the same number of overs for 22, and McCree six overs for 11. Smith finished with 3S not out, including three fours, but was lucky when a snick through slips, to the boundary, went just clear of a fieldsman. Griffiths, who exploited a solid off-drive, was rather the more aggressive and liis 37 not out included four boundary shots. The pair have now put on 80 in their unfinished stand.

The match is to be continued this afternoon and will conclude to-mor-row. ,