TIME OUT: Tom Bruce (right) changes his sweaty gloves after posting his third first-class century at Nelson Park, Napier, yesterday. PHOTO/Warren Buckland
TOM BRUCE yesterday tried to keep a low profile in the changing rooms of the Nelson Park pavilion, it seems, out of respect for the seniority of teammate Dane Cleaver after the Central Districts pair put Northern Districts to the sword with a century each in Napier.
It was the third career first-class ton each for Bruce and Cleaver who smashed the all-time fourth-wicket partnership (176 runs) for CD and the latter posted 1000 runs in four-day Plunket Shield competition.
The pair, who both occupied the crease for 178 minutes, brought up their tons in style with sixes off Black Caps legspinner Ish Sodhi although Bruce departed first on 115 runs off 128 deliveries, including nine boundaries and three lusty sixes.
Cleaver scored 108 not out, including eight fours and two sixes, from 128 balls with Jesse Ryder at the other end.
But when asked what the century meant to him, a grinning Bruce quipped: "A lot. It means it's not just another sexy 50.
"People notice 100s, not 50s so it was nice to convert one again."
The 25-year-old from Taranaki said another ton was probably overdue, especially after they hadn't had the best starts on day one.
"A lot of boys bowled well yesterday as a pack to get us in a position to bat pretty freely today," said Bruce, who isn't shy to throw his willow at leather but yesterday showed composure with Cleaver to tick things over.
The Stags declared at 377-5 with a lead of 450 for ND to chase and had the visitors at 105-2 at stumps with No3 Bharat Popli and nightwatchman Sodhi at No4 scoring 43 and 16 not out, respectively.
The Knights will resume today needing 345 runs to win with rain forecast in the afternoon.
Bruce said Cleaver's 1000 runs were " a bloody good achievement", including his second century in the space of three games.
The pair were quick to acknowledge the input of openers Ben Smith and Greg Hay who carried on from overnight to post 75 and 40, respectively.
"Greg and Smudge [Smith] laid the platform for us and that's what they're good at, although it's taken Smudge a bit of time to do that this season but that's allowed Dane and I to play our natural game," Bruce said.
Cleaver, of Manawatu, said the more first-class cricket they played the more they realised how important it was to turn 40s and 50s into tons.
The more players got involved in the game of statistics the more familiar they would become with the history of CD cricket.
"It's pretty special getting a 100 because you get noticed and it's a pretty big milestone."
What made it memorable for him was having his mate, Bruce, at the other end.
The pair eclipsed the fourth-wicket stand Bruce and Young established (164) against the same opposition in 2014-15 in Whangarei. Yesterday skipper Young came and went for a boundary from four balls at No3.
"Cricket is one of those funny games where it's a team game but has an individual aspect so stats are part of the game if you're interested in them or not."
Cleaver said reflecting on their milestones in the annual CD report booklet would be nostalgic "especially with a mate".
He felt the wicket so far had been good, starting with some bounce with lower totals reflected in the first innings.
"As it's gone on it's got slower, slower and, yes, even lower so, hopefully, the spinners come into play even more," he said.
"It's even an opportunity for someone like Brucie to bowl a few offies to pick up a few cheap wickets that he usually does," he said with laugh.
Cleaver was looking forward to contributing with the bat for Manawatu in their two-day Furlong Cup match from tomorrow in Palmerston North, assuming coach Heinrich Malan would give him a green light to play.
"It's always good to give back to your province. We've got a good culture in our team and a lot of boys take pride in playing for our province," he said, highlighting CD players' input only raises the standard of Hawke Cup qualifiers where they could impart knowledge fleeced from first-class interaction.
Cleaver said CD needed to keep bowling aggressively but, by the same token, be patient "with a hell of a lot of pressure and energy" with their skills.
"It's pretty basic, cliched stuff but ... ," he said, suspecting the Daryl Mitchell-skippered ND side would try to bat out the final day today.
While Sodhi was a quality bowler Bruce said they played each ball on its merit to find gaps on the field.
Cleaver said Young's declaration was "spot on" to give ND a sporting chance of chasing down the total.
And what did they make of today's rain forecast?
"A funny place Hawke's Bay. It never rains here," Bruce said.