PLUNKET SHIELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1938, Page 6

PLUNKET SHIELD

CANTERBURY V. WELLINGTON

FINE RECOVERY BY HOME TEAM.

SPARKLING PLAY BY MENZIES.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. December 30

A sparkling 163 by R. E. J. Menzies was the feature of the first day’s play in the Plunket Shield cricket match between Wellington and Canterbury, which was begun on Lancaster Park today. Batting with the greatest of case, Menzies treated all bowlers alike and made his runs in the fast time of two and a half hours. The Canterbury innings closed for 349, which was much more than at first appeared probable. When five wickets had fallen for 104 runs. Anderson, playing his first big game, helped Menzies in a valuable stand which added 87 runs, and then Davis held his end up while Menzies attacked the bowling, the ninth wicket partnership being woi'th 107 runs. By comparison Wellington’s batting was slow, and at stumps the side had made 93 for three wickets.

The weather was perfect, a light south-west wind tempering the heat of the sun. and the wicket gave no assistance to the bowlers. With the outfield fast, a day of most interesting play was. seen. TODAY’S PLAY. WELLINGTON ALL OUT FOR 209. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Ideal conditions again prevailed for the resumption of the play this morning. Tindill and Ongley faced the bowling of Donnelly and Roberts. After some nicely placed singles Tindill cracked Donnelly to the fence with a sweet square cut. The first hundred appeared- after two hours play. Bowling up to his best form and getting considerable nip off the pitch Roberts was causing the batsmen concern. After twelve minutes Tindill was caught with his legs in front. Four wickets were down for 105. Tindill having batted for over two hours for his 60.

Rainbird and Ongley, who added 180 for the sixth wicket against Otago were now at the crease. Rainbird opened shakily against Mulcock, scoring a boundary with a shot that sent the ball flying just nut of the reach of the slips. After that he settled down and both batsmen scored steadily off Roberts, Mulcock and Donnelly.

Scores:— CANTERBURY. First Innings. Hadlee, c Tindill, b Pritchard 0 Bellamy, c Pritchard, b Ashendefi 29 Kerr, c Ell, b Wilson 24 Roberts, b Ashenden 51 Cromb, b Gallichan 10 Donnelly', c Tindill, b Pritchard .... 3 Menzies, c McKeown, b Wilson .... 163 Anderson, b Wilson : 38 Webb, c Tindill, b Ashenden 1 Davis, c Wilson, b Ashenden 16 Mulcock, not out 5 Extras 9 Total 349 Bowling: Pritchqrd, 2 wickets for 61 runs; Ashenden, 4 for 95; Wilson. 3 for 78; Gallichan. 1. for 41; McKeown, 0 for 45; Rice, 0 for 20. WELLINGTON. First Innings. Tindill, lbw b Roberts 60 Rice, c Webb, b Mulcock 16 Sheffield, c Kerr, b Donnelly 9 Ell, b Donnelly 14 Ongley, not out 26 Extras -.... 7 Total for four wickets 155 Later —Wellington were all out for 209 at the luncheon adjournment.