Cricket: Bowlers dominate at the Basin

Under normal circumstances the Wellington team should bolt to victory over Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve today, but given the reckless batting from both sides, nothing can be taken for granted.

On one of the better batting surfaces at the ground in recent times Northern Districts led by just 106 runs with three second-innings wickets in hand after the second day of the State Championship four-day fixture.

Only Stephen Fleming, with 56, and Hamish Marshall, 51, passed half-centuries on the opening two days, and yesterday 16 wickets fell for 297 runs on a pitch offering not a hint of sideways movement.

Wellington left-arm swing bowler James Franklin, 24, is on the brink of his first 10-wicket haul, but he has bowled better for less.

He finished with four for 39 in Northern Districts' second innings, giving him nine for 62 in the match.

After trailing by 36 on the first innings, Northern Districts went to stumps at 142 for seven.

Northern captain Daniel Vettori knows poor batting is often contagious.

"Any lead over 150 might put the shivers up them. Then we can put some fields in place and Daryl [Tuffey] and Co can have a crack," Vettori said.

"We rate ourselves defending a total, so it will be interesting if we can add a few in the morning."

That responsibility rests chiefly with Joseph Yovich (30 not out) and Peter McGlashan (23 not out), who have already added 52 for the eighth wicket.

Vettori offered few excuses for his team's second-innings capitulation.

"I was ecstatic to bowl them out relatively cheaply, but then we stuffed up with the bat. We talked about being no more than three down before stumps, but we just didn't apply ourselves. No one was prepared to knuckle down.

"It's disappointing. If you bend your back there is something in it, but it's still a decent track."

Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson was just as distressed.

"We're ahead, but the way things have gone in this game there is still some cricket to be played.

"We can't bat as bad a second time around. I back my team to improve, so hopefully they have learned a few lessons from the first innings."

After beginning at 65 for one Wellington were dismissed for 220, with Tuffey inflicting the early damage and Yovich finishing the job with a quick five-wicket haul.

He had Jesse Ryder in his first over, Neal Parlane and Franklin soon after, and later added Chris Nevin and Mark Gillespie in successive deliveries.

He ended with five for 39 from nine overs. It was his seventh five-wicket haul and it took him past Richard de Groen as the fourth most successful bowler in Northern Districts history.

Playing his 59th match Yovich has 161 wickets, leaving Cliff Dickeson (282), Grant Bradburn (231) and Tom Puna (224) ahead of him.

- NZPA