Cricket: Mantra rings true for CD opener

Ben Smith.

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.

"It's about getting past 100 and then coming back to start all over again in shield matches," Malan said of the four-day affair, as the right-hander added to the overnight total of 28 runs, patiently using 102 balls and eight boundaries to tick along.

Fellow opener Jamie How could add only 14 runs to his overnight 28 before Black Cap seamer Neil Wagner had him caught by Derek de Border at slips.

"Howser played a shot out of character," he said of the veteran, who chased an expansive delivery.

No3 George Worker scored 35 from 69 balls, including six fours, before left-armer Nick Beard enticed him to prod a spin delivery to Brad Rodden at short leg.

Malan said the Volts based their artillery around Wagner but a wicket-less Jesse Ryder also commanded respect at 1.58 runs an over in attacking the stumps and so did test bowler Mark Craig.

While the rain was frustrating, the forecast today depended on whose prediction one followed. CD intend to post a sporting total today to give themselves a chance to bowl again in Otago's second innings, in chasing outright victory ... weather permitting.