OTAGO V. AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 2, 4 January 1939, Page 11

OTAGO V. AUCKLAND

HOME BATSMEN CAUTIOUS

WICKET CRUMBLES

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, This Day,

The Plunket Shield cricket match between Otago and Auckland entered on its final stage at the Carisbrook ground this morning. The weather was beautifully fine, though it was expected that a strong cross wind would assist the Auckland bowlers, especially Cowie and Matheson, who resumed the attack to Otago's opening pair, Uttley (1) and Robertson (9), the overnight score in Otago's second innings being 11 for none.

The first incident after a run of singles came when Robertson forced a short ball from Matheson to the on for 3. He was more forceful than Uttley, the Otago captain being almost too cautious.

A strong drive to the long-on boundary by Robertson off Vivian, who had taken' over from Matheson, took the score to 30, but in Cowie's fifth over over Robertson was bowled by a ball that whipped back sharply.

One end of the wicket was torn in places, and at times Cowie was making the ball kick through awkwardly.

The total was now 34 and Uttley was joined by Saxton, who opened nicely by square^cutting a delivery from Vivian for 4. Then Uttley went through trying to hook one from Vivian that j came back slightly. He had never looked like being among the runs, an| indication of his laboured batting being j that his eight singles took nearly an1 hour to get. j Knight came in and it appeared that he snicked the second ball he received to second slip. However, he was given the benefit of the doubt. Now there was some very uncertain batting, both he and Saxton patting the ball uncomfortably. The score crept to 50, which had taken 70 minutes. At 12.15 p.m. the score was 55 for two wickets. BOWLERS ON TOP. The bowlers were now definitely on j top and a single was quite an event, j At long last, however, Saxton put some force behind a shot and turned one i from Postles (who had come on in place of Cowie) to square leg for 4. Shortly afterwards his partner was out, Knight attempting to force a ball from Vivian to the on and mistiming his stroke. The ball took the middle pin. Knight took nearly an hour for his 12 runs. The score was three for 66 and immediately Elmes came in Saxton left, Postles beating him with a ball to which the batsman made a poor stroke, a good-length delivery evidently being too much for him. There was perhaps some hope that Mills,,who had made a century in the first innings, might be able to change Otago's fading grip* on the game but it was not to be, for he made only 1 before he put his leg in front of a straight one from Postles. Three wickets had fallen with the addition of only 3 runs to the total, which was now 68 for five. Postles's average was two for 12. . In fairness to the Otago batsmen it must be said that they had to contend with a crumbling wicket, the bowlers having broken it up a lot at both ends. Moloney joined Elmes and they were together when the luncheon adjournment was taken with Otago's second innings score standing at 78 for five wickets. Details:— OTAGO. First innings ... 427 Second Innings. Robertson, b Cowie 26 Uttley, b Vivian 8 Saxton, not out 10 Knight, not out 8 Extras 3 . Total for two wickets ........ 55 AUCKLAND. First innings .'... 373