Cricket: Auckland unfazed by major run chase

Auckland refused to be intimidated by Canterbury's three centuries and a mammoth first innings total in their Plunket Shield four-day cricket match in Christchurch yesterday.

On a Queen Elizabeth II pitch which held few surprises, Auckland finished the day on 157 for two in a game which looks destined for a draw.

Canterbury batted until after lunch and were all out for 540, with former New Zealand international Chris Harris adding the third century of the match before he was trapped in front by Michael Bates on 105.

The 40-year-old allrounder's 15th first class century, with useful contributions from Brandon Hiini (64 not out) and Andy Ellis (58), looked to have put Canterbury in the box seat.

On Tuesday, centuries from Michael Papps (107) and Johann Myburgh (120) had seen the southerners through to 368 for six overnight.

However, Auckland's former English international Ravi Bopara exercised commendable patience in playing the anchor role for Auckland yesterday after they lost opener Reece Young for 46 with the score on 69.

Bopara, who also picked up 3 for 109 off 31 overs on Tuesday, finished on a sedate 61 off 154 balls.

ND V WELLINGTON

Wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan led from the front as Northern Districts fought back to claim first innings points against Wellington at Hamilton.

At stumps, Wellington's second innings was in trouble. They had lost three wickets for nine runs with Northern paceman Brent Arnel dismissing Bell and Cameron Merchant for ducks and Josh Brodie for four.

Chasing 263, Northern looked to have squandered Tim Southee's efforts in claiming eight Wellington wickets on the opening day on Tuesday.

Resuming on their overnight innings of six runs, Northern's top five batsmen fell cheaply for 51 runs.

But a cavalier 81 from McGlashan in a sixth wicket stand of 115 with Joseph Yovich laid the foundation for a total of 281. Needing another 148 runs to overtake Wellington, Yovich masterminded the rearguard action with good suport from Anton Devcich, 12 and Bradley Scott 25.

There was another 49 needed when Southee strode to join Yovich, the duo contributing 22 in a 65-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Yovich was last man out with 80.

CD V OTAGO

Otago medium-pacer Sam Wells picked up his second five-wicket haul in a week as Otago dominated their match against Central Districts in Napier.

After claiming five for 75 against Canterbury last week, Wells backed up some imposing Otago batting with figures of five for 26 off 11 overs, as Central were all out for 190 chasing Otago's first innings total of 534 for eight declared.

Otago unsurprisingly enforced the follow-on and at stumps Central were nine without loss.

Otago resumed yesterday morning on 357 for two, with Shaun Haig and Neil Broom both unbeaten overnight. Haig added only three more runs to his 150 before he fell in the second over of the day, caught by Central captain Jamie How off Ewen Thompson.

Broom proved harder to dislodge, providing a solid backbone to the innings before he was caught behind by Bevan Griggs off Seth Rance for 196.

With Derek de Boorder unbeaten on 70, and a useful 45 from Ian Butler, Otago were able to declare 10 overs after lunch, and put immediate pressure on Central.

Struggling at 65 for four at tea, Central fell deeper into the mire when Wells bowled Brad Patton for 27 then removed George Worker 10 balls later with the score on 71. Some feisty lower order resistance from Rance, compiling a bright 71 from 50 balls, briefly halted Central's demise but the follow-on was never in doubt.

- NZPA