Cricket: Guptill cashes in on run-fest

Martin Guptill was in sparkling form with his 108 at Eden Park Outer Oval. Photo / Greg Bowker

It was another run-fest in the Ford Trophy domestic cricket competition yesterday with Auckland and Central Districts posting huge first innings scores in their wins.

At Eden Park Outer Oval, Martin Guptill continued his good form with a sparkling 108, while Craig Cachopa also passed three figures (110), as the home side posted a formidable 344 in their 50 overs.

Otago were never really at the races, particularly when their first wickets to fall - Aaron Redmond, Michael Bracewell and Derek de Boorder - perished to the bowling of Black Cap Mitchell McClenaghan without scoring.

There were a number of useful contributions, the best being Iain Robertson's 74, but Auckland ended up winning in a 97-run canter.

The 591 runs scored at Auckland was, however, chicken feed compared to what was going on within the cosy confines of Timaru's Aorangi Oval.

CD batted first and compiled a whopping 405, thanks in no small part to George Worker's career-best knock of 194.

The Manawatu southpaw blitzed the ball to all parts, hitting 16 fours and 10 sixes.

No bowler escaped his attention, but the experience would have been especially chastening for World Cup hopeful Matt Henry, whose eight overs cost 88 runs.

Assisting Worker - who also scored a ton in his last match - in the slaughter was Jamie How, who is putting some nice icing on a fine career at this level.

He scored a rapid-fire 64 and will be able to emphasise to Worker over a cold one that he still holds the record List A score for CD with 222.

Canterbury's run chase would have put the frighteners up the visitors for a while, with Henry Nicholls (70), Neil Broom (83), Andrew Ellis (72) and Todd Astle (58) all in the runs.

The chase finally fizzled out in the 46th over with the total at 353.

Andrew Mathieson picked up five wickets on a day for the batsmen.

The wins move unbeaten Auckland to the top of the table, while CD slot in behind in second with two wins from three.

Otago and Northern Districts are third and fourth. Winless Wellington and Canterbury prop up the table.

ND take on Otago at Mt Maunganui tomorrow, CD host Wellington at Nelson and Canterbury and Auckland clash at Aorangi Oval in Timaru on Monday.