CHRISTCHURCH GAME

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH GAME

CANTERBURY BATTING ONE DOWN FOR 70 (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The weather was perfect for the Plunket Shield cricket match between, Otago and Canterbury which opened to-day. Holden stood down for Otago. Canterbury won the toss, and batted on a perfect pitch under a hot sun.

Donnelly and Kerr opened to the bowling of Begg and Lemin. With three runs up their was a unanimous appeal, and Kerr was out for . a “duck,” caught behind off Lemin. O’Brien joined Donnelly, and the pair were coon forcing the pace, batting delightfully and hitting fairly, frequent boundaries. Beggs’ sixth over cost 11 runs. The half-century was posted in 45 minutes. Forc'ng the pace, the O’-Brien-Donnelly partnership defied the leading Otago bowlers for 90 minutes, and added 137 runs, despite alert fielding. O’Brien made 65 in dashing and confident style before he skied one from Lemin and was held in a hard running catch. O’Brien hit eight, boundaries. and gave difficult chances at 8 and 33.

Meanwhile Donnelly had also been stroking with delightful skill, particularly on the leg side, vrhere he collected two fours tin succession from Elmes. As soon as that bowler was brought on Hadlee began with two boundaries. Off the same bowler, he was quickly past double figures. Two overs from Elmejs cost 25, so he was taken oft. Moloney went on again, but without result.

The score at lunch was IC2 for two wickets. Scores: —

Canterbury First Innings,

Donnelly, not out Kerr, c Mills, b Lemin 0 O'Brien, c. Monteith, b. Lemin, 05 Hadlee, not out .. .. .. 17 Extras 4

Total for two wickets .. IG2 Lemin’s figures were two for 30.