Cricket: CD on the rack as Otago calls tune

PALMERSTON NORTH - Otago turned the thumbscrews on Central Districts on the second day of their Shell Trophy cricket match in Palmerston North yesterday.

Central Districts resume today on 19 without loss in their second innings after Otago scored 505 to earn a first-innings advantage of 440.

Opener Matt Horne added 32 runs to his overnight score of 109 before he was trapped leg before by spinner Campbell Furlong.

With his team having resumed on their overnight score of 195 for one, Horne's dismissal left Otago comfortably placed on 243 for three.

If Central Districts thought they had got rid of Otago's dangerman they were mistaken.

While Mark Richardson and skipper Robbie Lawson kept the score humming along with scores of 61 and 42 respectively, it was middle-order batsman Chris Gaffaney who really put a dent in the hopes of the defending trophy champions.

Batting at No 6, Gaffaney hit an unbeaten 140 runs off 198 balls, his fourth first-class century.

Campbell Furlong ploughed through 41 overs to take three for 128, while medium-fast bowler Lance Hamilton claimed three for 123 from 28 overs.

With the pitch looking to accept turn on the final two days, Otago will hope international spin bowler Paul Wiseman can break through as they look to secure their first outright win of the season.

- NZPA