Bowlers need to propel Stags

Day 1, Plunket Shield

Dunedin

It was supposed to be a good day if the weather forecast for Dunedin was anything to go by.

The southerlies had other ideas as the Devon Hotel Central Stags eventually got on University Oval about 3pm to roll their arms for 47.1 overs until bad light halted play again.

Coach Alan Hunt said the wicket turned out to be pretty flat so the Otago Volts found runs with consummate ease to be 181-4 when the umpires lifted the bails on the opening day of the four-day Plunket Shield match.

"Luckily Neil Broom got himself out so that evened out the day," Hunt said.

He felt the Jamie How-skippered Stags could have bowled better to apply more pressure on the batsmen.

Today the plot is a no-brainer, with CD needing to bowl the Volts out if they are to claim bowling points to maintain their healthy perch on the top of the ladder following their second defeat to the Wellington Firebirds on the road last week.

Posting a daunting total thereafter in their first dig is equally significant.

Injured Black Caps bowler Adam Milne is with the squad but was never going to play as assistant coach Lance Hamilton works with him in preparation for the HRV Cup Twenty20 match on Boxing Day.

Top wicket-taker Andrew Mathieson carried the drinks.

"I think he'll be the first to admit he didn't bowl as well as he would have liked in Wellington last week so I believe we've made the right decision," Hunt said.

Otago batsman Ryan ten Doeschate, unbeaten on 88, with Sam Wells 7 not out, will resume today.

Spinner Ajaz Patel claimed 2-42 off 11 overs, including a maiden, while English import Peter Trego and fellow opening bowler Andrew Lamb have a wicket each.

The Black Caps' loss has been Northern Districts' gain, with Tim Southee producing a stunning individual effort in Wellington yesterday.

Southee smashed 156 from 130 balls to lead his side to a total of 403, before picking up four Wellington wickets late in the day to reduce the hosts to 32-4.

The 24-year-old hit 18 fours and six sixes in recording his maiden first class century while he also emerged triumphant in the much-anticipated battle with Jesse Ryder, bowling the in-form batsman for a two-ball duck.

Elsewhere, Canterbury's English import Gareth Andrew gave Southee a run for his money in the player-of-the-day stakes at Eden Park's outer oval. After beginning day two on 126no, the No8 batsman posted his highest score of 180no before Canterbury declared on 405-9.

The Wizards also chose to give the ball to the hot hand and Andrew took just three balls to remove Lou Vincent for a golden duck.

Auckland were in trouble on 58-5 but Phil Mustard (55), Gareth Hopkins (96no) and Kyle Mills (61no) pushed the Aces to 264-7 at stumps.