Cricket: Volts aim to dig in toes to deny CD

Dimitri Mascarenhas. Photo / Paul Taylor

Otago Volts coach Dimitri Mascarenhas remains defiant his batsmen will hang around long enough today to deny the CD Stags an outright victory in Napier.

If the weather gods had smiled on the visitors at McLean Park on Monday they will be frowning through some clouds on a balmy 23C today.

"We've got batting to come so we'll fight all day to stay in it and tomorrow's another day," Mascarenhas said.

"Yeah, it was a tough day, tough day but we stuck at it pretty well today on a pretty good wicket," the former England international said in his maiden coaching season at the helm of the Volts.

He felt his bowlers toiled arduously yesterday but it was energy-sapping to finish with the loss of four wickets.

Mascarenhas was hoping rain would come to their aid although he hadn't looked at the forecast.

"We have guys who can bat all day so we just need to go out there to do that," the ex-Otago cricketer said as No3 Michael Bracewell (8 not out) and No6 Brad Rodden, yet to score, will resume their second innings on 48-4 in 17 overs. Sam Wells, Derek de Boorder and Mark Craig just needed to get themselves in.

"CD have got very a good bowling attack and they've shown again in the second innings there's no let up so if you're not on your game you'll go out."

Doug Bracewell (2-13) and Ben Wheeler (2-24) struck, including the prized scalp of No 3 Jesse Ryder for 28, as wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk took three catches to add to his four in the first innings.

Wellington Firebirds yesterday joined Auckland Aces with an outright win over Canterbury Kings at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.