Hawke Cup hanging by a thread at Bay Oval

BIG WICKET: Hawke's Bay fielder Brad Schmulian reacts as Alex Lees is dismissed for Bay of Plenty at Bay Oval. PHOTO: JOHN BORREN

In the rich history of the Hawke Cup there has been no shortage of drama and unlikely heroes who stand up under pressure.

Day one of three between holders Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay at Bay Oval today was another classic day of intriguing cricket.

Bay of Plenty were bowled out for 170 after being 54-7 with Liam Dudding taking the first six wickets to fall. The last three wickets then heroically contributed 113 with Donovan Deeble making 61 and Brenton Thompson 45 on debut.

At stumps Hawke's Bay had limped to 70-6 off 32 overs after some fine pace bowling from the four Bay of Plenty quicks with Brad Schmulian 28 not out with the innings imploding around him.

Hawke's Bay did what all challenging teams like to do and bowled first after winning the toss. Early on there was no sign of the carnage to befall the Bay innings when captain Peter Drysdale and Tom MacRury put on 39 before Drysdale fell for 18.

Yorkshire county player Alex Lees scored 223 on his Hawke Cup debut a fortnight ago but he fell for four to begin a major collapse.

Joe Carter was skittled first ball, Ben Musgrave and Tim Clarke were both out for second-ball ducks, MacRury fell for 25 and Sean Davey for two to leave the Bay in terrible trouble at 54-7.

Dudding had 6-15 but no one told Deeble it was a lost cause. Fresh from his maiden century for Bay of Plenty against Counties Manukau in the opening Hawke Cup defence, the allrounder got stuck into the bowling and hit Dudding out of the attack.

Deeble's 61 came off 61 balls and included six fours and one big six. He put on 85 with Thompson, who batted 139 minutes for perhaps the most important 45 runs he has ever scored. His partnership with number 11 Chris Atkinson produced another 30 vital runs.

Bay of Plenty's total of 170 began to look decidedly useful as the pace bowlers got stuck into the Hawke's Bay top order.

Deeble, Davey and Atkinson took two wickets each with Tony Goodin unlucky not to join them. Schmulian will be the key wicket on day two if Bay of Plenty are to get a first innings lead.

Hawke Cup challenges played on flat decks like Bay Oval are usually decided on the first innings but this game is so well advanced it may end up being an outright result either way.

Bay of Plenty 170 (Donovan Deeble 61, Brenton Thompson 45, Tom MacRury 25; Liam Dudding 6-46) lead Hawke's Bay 70-6 (Brad Schmulian 28* ; Deeble 2-12, Sean Davey 2-15, Chris Atkinson 2-25)