Cricket: Dream debut for CD Stag

Plunket Shield

You wouldn't guess it talking to Kyle Jarvis.

The Zimbabwe international last night claimed 3-46 off 19 overs, including four maidens, on debut for the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags, justifying skipper Jamie How's decision to ask the Northern Districts Knights pad up in Gisborne on the first day of the four-day Plunket Shield match.

"It's a good start so hopefully tomorrow morning I'll have five," said the right-arm paceman before the Knights were to resume at 283-8 in 88 overs at Harry Barker Reserve in an early start at 10am today to make up for time lost to bad light and rain.

Jarvis, who turned 23 on Thursday, was CD's latest acquisition because of a dearth of speed merchants due to injuries to Adam Milne and Ben Wheeler and Michael Mason retiring.

Veteran CD batsman Mathew Sinclair said when they got out to the wicket they had an inkling it was going to do a little with a greenish tinge.

"In the third or fourth day it'll flatten out more and become easier to bat on," the former Black Cap said as No 4 batsman Hamish Marshall scored a belligerent 82 before Jarvis had him holing out to Carl Cachopa.

Brother James Marshall, at No 3, contributed 43 runs while No 6 and international wicketkeeper BJ Watling was unbeaten on 42 and will occupy the crease with No 10 Trent Boult this morning.

"Well need to knock off Boult and Brent Arnell [No 11] to finish them off," Sinclair said.

He lauded Kieran Noema-Barnett and Jarvis for their bowling spells.

In Dunedin, ex-CD Mitchell McClenaghan's carried on for Auckland after a serious back injury as he grabbed six wickets in helping his side skittle Otago for 226. But the visitors limped to 80-5 at stumps, leaving the match evenly poised.

At Rangiora, bottom-placed Canterbury were 321-8 with dumped Black Caps wicketkeeper Reece Young 98 not out and ex Cd George Worker adding 64.