Cricket: Central revival as opener hits 99

By TERRY MADDAFORD and NZPA

Two innings from the opposite ends of the batting spectrum could be vital in the Auckland-Central Districts clash on Eden Park's outer oval.

Andre Adams was first into the breach. He blasted merrily for 55 from just 35 deliveries - including 20 from a Michael Mason over - as he and Auckland captain Brooke Walker eased their team to a first-innings lead and the first points of the State Championship season.

Adams and Tama Canning later added 48 in 38 minutes for the ninth wicket to ensure they were a handy 58 ahead.

That lead - and with eight and a bit sessions of the match to play - demanded a change in tempo from the visitors.

They did that with aplomb. Led by David Kelly, who went agonisingly close to a deserved century in reaching 99 not out by stumps, Central had wiped out the deficit and put themselves 84 in credit.

Central batted for 284 minutes in reaching 142 for three in their second innings, but time was of no consequence. Survival was.

Kelly - who scored an unbeaten 85 against Auckland at Eden Park last summer and has a best of 212 not out - and Richard Scragg took 111 minutes for their opening partnership of 62.

While they had few problems in seeing off the pace brigade, Walker's leg spin was a mystery. From his first 11 overs, Walker conceded just two runs and picked up Scragg, caught in close by Kyle Mills for 24, and Central captain Ben Smith with a comfortable caught-and-bowled before he had scored.

Richard King, who had scored 98 for Auckland against Central on the same ground last season, hung around for 90 minutes in scoring seven as he and Kelly added 41 for the third wicket.

Then, in another display of unbridled patience, young Jamie How used up 80 minutes for four not out as he supported Kelly in adding 39 for the fourth wicket.

Central will be without the batting services of Ewen Thompson, who broke a bone in his forearm while batting on the opening day, but he will bowl in the Auckland second innings.

* In Dunedin, Northern Districts captain Robbie Hart scored an unbeaten 102 to steer his side to a first innings total of 303 against Otago, a lead of 88.

Otago opening bowler Evan Marshall capped a fine return to first-class cricket by claiming five for 79.

Otago were 100 for four in their second innings at stumps.

At one stage, Northern were struggling at 123 for seven, before a record ninth-wicket stand of 96 between Hart and Bruce Martin (45) gave them a handy advantage.

Serious back and ankle injuries convinced Marshall, 31, to give a promising career away during the 1995-96 season.

* Rookie Canterbury pace bowler Wade Cornelius, who has yet to have a five-wicket haul in club cricket, battled leg cramps to capture seven for 53 and humble Wellington at Rangiora.

Cornelius' efforts propelled Canterbury to a 116-run lead on the first innings.

Wellington were dismissed for 126 in reply to Canterbury's 242.

A stubborn stand of 84 for the eighth wicket between Andrew Penn (45) and James Franklin (38 not out) saved Wellington after they lost their seventh wicket with only 29 on the board.

At stumps, the home side were 62 for four in their second innings, an overall lead of 178.

Cornelius' seven wickets were two more than he took in four first-class matches last season, which came at an expensive average of 62.