Cricket: Young scores ton as other games hit by weather

Reece Young. Photo / NZPA

While poor weather dominated two of the three Plunket Shield matches yesterday, Canterbury wicketkeeper-batsman Reece Young made the most of the clear skies in Dunedin to register his eighth first-class century.

The discarded international, who was dropped during the summer in favour of BJ Watling, appears to have drifted down the pecking order of the national setup with Kruger van Wyk preferred recently in Watling's absence.

But Young reminded coach John Wright of his ability as he carved out an unbeaten 103 from 163 balls when Canterbury posted only 199 in their first innings, on day two of their rain-affected clash against Otago at the University Oval.

No other player managed to pass 23 while the 32-year-old Young stroked 12 fours and a six during his near four-hour knock.

Dean Brownlie managed only a six-ball duck in his return to cricket after a lay-off with a finger injury, while fellow New Zealand test-squad member Andrew Ellis mustered five from 17 balls before he was dismissed by Ian Butler who picked up 3-53 from 19 overs.

Otago paceman James McMillan was the best-performed of the bowlers as he snagged 4-51 from 17 overs, including six maidens.

Otago closed the day on 68-2 when bad light stopped play at around 6pm, with Hamish Rutherford at the crease on 29 and Neil Broom on six.

At Karori Park in Wellington, rain and bad light also affected play in the encounter between the men from the capital and Central Districts.

Wellington, who resumed on 437-6, advanced their score to 501-6 in the first session before they declared with skipper Grant Elliott unbeaten on 188.

It was a selfless gesture from the former New Zealand player who had a double century in his sights, but he chose to put the team above individual accomplishments.

Central batted for just nine balls before the rain came.

In Auckland, no play was possible on day two of the clash between Northern Districts and Auckland, again because of the weather, which would have been frustrating for recalled Black Cap Daniel Flynn who finished day one unbeaten on 68.