Cricket: Butler strikes but NSW make steady progress

4.00pm

Ian Butler struck with his fourth ball to secure an early breakthrough but New South Wales were making slow but steady progress towards overhauling New Zealand's first innings of 213 on the second day of their four-day match at the Sydney Cricket Ground today.

Paceman Butler provided the only joy for the Blacks Caps in the morning session when he induced Matthew Phelps to play on to his stumps in his opening over to reduce the home side to 42 for two.

However, by lunch opener Greg Mail and Dominic Thornely had advanced the total to 106.

Mail, who had reached 42, brought up the NSW 100 with a consummate straight drive off Chris Martin in the penultimate over before the interval.

Thornely, fresh from a career-best 261 not out against Western Australia here last week, was looking ominous after a settling in period and had struck five boundaries in his 33.

Phelps and Mail resumed the NSW innings at 26 for one and found runs hard to come by as the New Zealand bowling attack offered little latitude on a pitch offering minimal assistance.

Chris Martin conceded just 16 runs in his opening spell of 11 overs while Jacob Oram went for eight off a seven-over burst of medium pace.

James Franklin, who claimed the wicket of Phil Jaques in his opening over yesterday, beat the bat early but tailed off as Thornely got into his stride.

Stand-in captain Scott Styris introduced Paul Wiseman to the attack after the drinks break, with the offspinner producing a non-threatening first-up spell of seven overs for 13 runs.

Butler was used sparingly after his success, bowling just four overs in the morning session to have figures of one for 10.

- NZPA