Richard Jones' 11th first-class hundred was rather wasted by his teammates on the opening day of Auckland's match against Central Districts at Eden Park yesterday.
After being sent in, Auckland were dismissed for 314 just before stumps, having squandered a formidable 198-1 in the afternoon.
Captain Jones put
Auckland in a powerful position in the course of the first half of the day, his 100 coming off 128 balls. He dominated an opening stand of 71 with Tim McIntosh, who made 14, then shared a 127-run second wicket partnership with Martin Guptill.
But from the time Jones was caught and bowled by Robbie Schaw, having faced 179 balls and hit 26 fours and a six, Auckland's innings went into freefall. Although Guptill was eighth out for 65, no one else reached 20. The middle order leaked badly.
Greg Hegglun picked up 4-54 to finish with the best CD bowling figures and there were a couple of wickets each for Schaw and Brent Hefford.
Auckland lie fourth on the State Championship ladder with 12 points, two points and one place above CD.
* Opener B. J. Watling bagged his second hundred of the season as he led championship leaders Northern Districts to a strong 331-4 at stumps against bottom side Otago in Hamilton.
Watling clearly enjoys dining out on Otago bowlers. He hit his maiden first-class century, 153, against the same team two rounds back in Dunedin and followed up with 104 yesterday.
Wicketkeeper Watling shared a 94-run opening stand with Brad Wilson before the key partnership of the day, 146 for the second wicket with Alun Evans, who made 90. Watling hit 16 fours in his ton, which came off 239 balls.
James McMillan's 2-67 was the best haul by an Otago bowler.
* Former test and ODI opener Michael Papps took full advantage when Wellington sent Canterbury in at QEII Park in Christchurch, crashing his way to an unbeaten 160.
Canterbury reached 327-3 at stumps, based on a 201-run opening stand between Papps and Todd Astle, who fell three short of his century. Papps had faced 316 balls and hit 22 fours by stumps. It was his third 100 of the championship, his 11th overall, and took his average for the season to a whopping 94.
