Cricket: Elliott, Patel lift Wellington

Jeetan Patel. Photo / Christine Cornege

The feast turned into a comparative famine for Plunket Shield cricket combatants around the country yesterday.

Twenty wickets fell at the two venues where play was possible, after rain hit Otago's match against Central Districts in Dunedin.

First innings points were gained by Northern Districts and Wellington, with the latter well served by former internationals Grant Elliott and Jeetan Patel.

These two returned to Rangiora yesterday on 54 and 1 respectively against Canterbury and were then held up until 2.40pm when a damp patch on the pitch was sufficiently dried.

At 145 for six Wellington were still 17 runs shy of Canterbury's opening effort but Elliott and Patel ensured the visitors gained a handy first innings lead of 85 runs as they advanced their seventh wicket stand to 63 before Elliott departed for a watchful 79.

Patel stuck around for more than two hours before he was the last man out for 51 with Wellington dragging out their response to 247.

Legspinner Todd Astle claimed five for 91 off 24 overs.

Canterbury wiped out the deficit but that came at a cost as they ended on 108 for four in the second innings, leading overall by just 23 runs.

Northern Districts took only 11 balls to wrap up the Auckland tail at Seddon Park, with Trent Boult striking twice in the space of three deliveries to end the innings at 227 after dismissing Bruce Martin for his overnight 45 and Chris Martin for yet another duck.

Fast bowler Michael Bates was left unbeaten on 69 then found form with the ball as well to take five for 38 as Northern Districts were dismissed for 291 just before stumps.

- NZPA