Cricket: George Worker, Greg Hay carve up tons but William Young eight runs shy of century

CD opening George Worker carved up his eighth Plunket Shield century against the Otago Volts in day one of the round six match at McLean Park, Napier, today. Photo/Photosport

As someone assuming the mantle of captaincy, Central Districts captain Greg Hay showed why he is wearing the stripes for what is fast becoming the country's dominant major association cricket team as he joined the riot to give the Otago Volts some stick in Napier today.

But one wonders if Hay's mind was on the round-six Plunket Shield match in Napier or in sympathy of his provincial Nelson side who also were taking some serious stick at the hands of the Pay Excellence Hawke's Bay senior men's representative side throwing down the gauntlet to the Hawke Cup holders at Saxton Park today.

No doubt, the 34-year-old veteran, who carved up his 13 first-class century against the whipping boys of the domestic men's Plunket Shield competition on day one, is cricket savvy enough to know where his allegiance and total focus are required when the higher echelons come calling.

"It was a good day for the Stags and it was to turn some starts into three figures but, again, Haysey is just going along like he has all season, really, and then Youngy's just come in and playing the way he is is all just good stuff," said fellow opening batsman George Worker after the defending champions won the toss and posted 357-1 in 96 overs.

Black Cap Worker, who scored his eighth first-class ton with 110 runs from 166 balls in 220 minutes, including 17 fours and six, forged a record 202-run CD first-wicket partnership with Hay, against the Volts, as the pair eclipsed the previous best 137-run effort of Tony Blain and Robbie Hart in the 1984-85 season.

"He's been playing nicely Haysey, all summer, and leading from the front," he said as Hay was unbeaten on 145 runs at stumps, including 19 fours from 292 balls in 392minutes. "The one good thing about Greg is that when he gets himself in he usually goes big and doesn't get too complacent so I'm really happy for him."

First-drop Young's stellar summer continues, despite another return to CD after a Bangladesh test cover back-up call, as he resumes on 92 not out from 120 deliveries, including 18 boundaries.

Otago wicketkeeper Max Chu anticipates a catch as CD Stags batsmen Greg Hay frustrates the Volts to remain unbeaten on 145 runs at McLean park, Napier, today. Photo/Paul Taylor

"We've put the team in a good position leading into the final three days," said Worker.

The 29-year-old left hander from Manawatu said it was good fun on the McLean Park strip.

"After a slightly lean twenty20 period, on a personal note, it was to back up a nice innings last week against Canterbury to turn it into three figures so it was really pleasing.

"If I'm really honest, it was a little disappointing to get out just after that milestone because it shows there was a lot of time left to bat on a session and a half today and another session tomorrow."

Worker felt the wicket was pretty docile but the hunch to bat was paying off becuase they weren't really sure what to expect from the wicket.

Ideally CD hope to bat once and claim 20 wickets although he felt a lot of hard work was still required.

"The boys will be looking at laying a bit of platform tomorrow morning and then we'll assess things," he said, revealing a declaration target wasn't discussed in the changing rooms at stumps.

"It's definitely the sort of wicket that, hopefully, breaks up later on days two and three when we can make some inroads to put some pressure on them," he said of the Heinrich Malan and Aldin Smith-coached side who lost their first shield match to break a 21-game purple patch in the two-wicket loss to the Canterbury Kings in Rangiora in the previous round.

The Stags haven't lost on McLean Park, which underwent a multi-million-dollar ground revamp, since 2016 when they succumbed to the Northern Districts Knights by 284 runs.