Wellington’s Hopes Not Improved

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30978, 7 February 1966, Page 16

Wellington’s Hopes Not Improved

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. Wellington’s Plunket Shield stocks plunged sharply on Saturday when it failed by 65 runs to reach Auckland’s first innings score of 225 and then could take only two wickets for 62 runs in Wellington’s second innings.

Auckland will enter the last day today with a lead of 127 runs.

Under the circumstances, the most influential being the heart-breaking pitch, this modest lead has placed Auckland in a strong position. Although the weather was perfect, Saturday was another day of low scoring, the 390 minutes bringing only 217 runs for the loss of 12 wickets. Pitch Blamed Even though the Auckland fast bowlers, R. S. Cunis and R. E. Sutton, and faultless catching were the major reasons for Wellington’s low score, the pitch is still to blame for the slow scoring. The pace was even slower than on Friday, and the

bounce was so low that forcing strokes off either front or back foot were both risky and difficult to get through the field. The pitch is hardly likely to improve on the last day.

Cunts was probably the outstanding attacker, for he had to slave away under the hot sun for long spells. He never lost tiis speed or accuracy. He was able to cut the ball back from the off and this movement and his accuracy made him a dangerous proposition.

Sutton struck two heavy blows by dismissing P. B. Truscott and B. A. G. Murray, in one over before lunch, both being expertly taken by' R, I. Harford, the wicket-keeper, who ended with three catches. Fine Slip Catches T. W. Jarvis also picked up three fine slip catches and it was this expert fielding, plus the consistent pressure, which was too much for the Wellington batsmen.

B. W. Sinclair played a dogged and excellent innings for

32 and later A. E. Dick's 41 was a model of concentration and skill at hitting the loose bald. Otherwise there was only a brief flutter from L. C. Butler, the burly left-hander, who hit the biggest six seen at Eden Park for many years when he lofted a ball from J. T. Sparling on to the roof of the new number four stand, some 50ft high and 75 yards from the pitch. Auckland tried to score more quickly in its second innings, but once again found conditions far too difficult for bright cricket.. B. M. Harris again showed impressive form and was 33 not out at stumps. AUCKLAND First innings .. 225 Second Innings T. W. Jarvis, c Morgan, b Butler .. 14 R. M. Harris, not out .. 33 R. W. Morgan, c Butler, b Morgan 7 J. T. Sparling, not out .. 6 Extras (1 leg-bye, 1 noball) .. 2 Total for two wickets 62

Fall of wickets: one for 19, two for 26, three for 29, four for 83, flvef or 95, six for 125, seven for 141, eight for 158, nine for 158. Bowling

Fall of wickets: one for 26, two tr 49. Bowling 0. M. R. w. Huxford .. 5 2 8 0 Taylor .. 7 1 23 0 Butler ..19 7 22 1 Morgan ..11 6 7 1 WELLINGTON First Innings G. P. Biilby, lbw, b Cutks .. 10 B. A. G. Murray, c R. Harford, b Sutton 14 P. B. Truscott, c R. Harford, b Sutton 1 B. W. Sinclair, c R. Harford, b Sparling 32 P. T. Barton, c Jarvis, b Sutton 21 A. E. Dick, c N. Harford, b Sparling 41 D. 0. Neely, b Cuniis 12 H. A. Morgan, c Jarvis, b Sparling 1 L. C. Butler, c Sparling, b Cunis 15 A. R. Taylor, c Jarvis, b Cunis 0 N. A. Huxford, not out 2 Extras (5 byes, 6 no-balls) 11 Total 160

0. M R w. Cunts 25.5 9 35 4 Sparling ... 14 6 37 2 Howarth .. 10 3 19 0 Morgan .. 12 4 24 1