The Otago cricket selectors, in search of batsmen for their Plunket Shield team, were given little joy on the opening day's play of Country Week yesterday. Bowlers were in the ascendancy for most of the day, and better than average batting performances were few.

The two matches played, North Otago v. Southland and Central Otago v. Metropolitan, were limited to one day, the first day being lost through rain. They were scheduled to begin at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, but the state of the wickets delayed the beginning of play.

Most sensational bowling of the day was produced by North Otago captain, M. Sandri, in the match against Southland.

Sandri, showing complete control over his out-swingers, with an occasional in-swinger, and bowling with hostility in his opening spell at the wickets, took three wickets with four balls in his second over of the match.

The North Otago man went on to take six wickets in all for 41 runs off 19 overs and must have placed himself in the running for Plunket Shield selection.

In the same match, J. Vear, a former Wellington Brabin Shield representative, also bowled well for Southland to take four wickets for 46 runs off 24 overs in North Otago's first innings with his medium-paced bowling.

Left-arm fast-medium R. Nicholson also of Southland took the honours in the second innings, taking all three North Otago wickets that fell for 13.

Top score of the day went to Southland and New Zealand spin bowler J.C. Alabaster, who punished the North Otago attack to the tune of 68 runs, scored at a time when Southland appeared likely to be out for fewer than 100 runs.

The fielding of all four teams, particularly North Otago and Central Otago, was better than average and some good catches were taken during the day.

Of the four wicket keepers in action none impressed more than the 16-year-old Waitaki Boy's High School lad, B. Papps. He did not concede a bye during Southland's innings and caught P. Sharp brilliantly on the side of the bowling of Sandri.

Short Scorecard(s)

Representative - Hawke Cup - Zone Series

Southland vs North Otago at University Oval, Dunedin
North Otago 168 ( J.S. White 50, R.W. Pile 26, K. Ellis 21, J.C. Brown 17, G. Cowles 15, M.F. Sandri 11, Vear 4-46, Alabaster 4-53 ) & 55-3 ( W.B. Kerr 16, J.C. Brown 11, J.S. White 11, Nicholson 3-15 )
Southland 154 ( J.C. Alabaster 68, J.A. Gill 29, D. Collett 24, J. Vear 15, M.F. Sandri 6-41, R. Paul 2-39 )
First innings win to North Otago
Full scorecard for the match