Batting time is a mantra in any form of cricket but no Central Districts Stag will be chanting it with as much religious fervour this summer as Ben Smith in Napier.
That's because the CD opener is sitting on an unbeaten 75 runs when the third day of the opening Plunket Shield match resumes today, weather permitting.
CD were 179-2 at stumps after 60 overs, in reply to the Otago Volts' first-innings total of 207 all out on Sunday, at Nelson Park when rain kicked in not long after 1pm.
The umpires pulled the plug on day two about 4pm, with No4 Will Young unbeaten on six runs.
"It's not about getting in and then getting out but about staying there," CD coach Heinrich Malan said, emphasising the Ruahine Motors Ford CHB player had racked up three first-class scores in the 90s last season.