Cricket: Central sublime as records hit for six

A record-breaking partnership between Glen Sulzberger and Jesse Ryder propelled Central Districts to an impregnable position against Canterbury in the domestic championship in Napier yesterday.

Sulzberger scored an unbeaten 107 and outstanding teenager Ryder 114 not out to put on 235 and carry Central to a mammoth 542 for four declared in their first innings.

Canterbury were 74 for four in reply at stumps.

The partnership was a Central Districts record for the fifth wicket against any team, surpassing the previous best of 199, shared by Martin Crowe and Mark Douglas against Northern Districts in Rotorua in 1989-90.

It followed a record opening partnership on Monday between Peter Ingram and Jamie How, who scored the first of three centuries in the team's first innings.

Their stand of 178 beat the previous best against Canterbury of 132 by Roger Pierce and Ronnie Hart 20 years ago.

Left-handers Sulzberger and Ryder, who reached his maiden first-class century, yesterday built on that great start to guide Central to their highest-ever score on McLean Park.

It was also the third highest by a Central Districts side and only the fifth time the province had posted 500 in an innings.

Both Sulzberger and Ryder, on 10 and five respectively overnight, were untroubled against a weakened Canterbury attack and on a perfect batting track.

They moved through the 40s, 50s and 60s together - both going to lunch on 68 - before 18-year-old Ryder, who demonstrated admirable application, took toll on an over from medium pacer Peter Fulton to race into the 80s.

Three boundaries from that Fulton over took the New Zealand under-19 representative within sight of his century.

Another four off Canterbury offspinner Paul Wiseman brought up the milestone and also the 200-run partnership.

Ryder hit 11 fours and a six in his 186-ball innings during a stand which spanned three sessions and 250 minutes.

Sulzberger's eighth first-class century came from 243 balls and included eight fours and two sixes.

Canterbury moved safely through to 26 without loss at tea, but Central Districts struck almost immediately after the resumption when Brent Hefford removed Robbie Frew and Michael Papps within eight deliveries.

Shanan Stewart and Fulton, who scored a triple century this month, looked to be consolidating before being dismissed in consecutive overs.

* Captain Craig Cumming steered Otago to a decisive advantage over Wellington with some vintage batting in Alexandra.

Cumming scored his third first-class century of the season as Otago reached 281 for four at stumps, a lead of 78, with two days remaining.

Cumming batted beautifully and made 114, including 21 fours, off 200 balls before he was leg-before to Matthew Walker.

He and Mohammad Wasim added 191 for the first wicket in 225 minutes before Wasim was yorked by Walker for 65.

It was Otago's fifth century opening stand of the competition and fell just two runs short of the Otago record against Wellington, set by Mark Richardson and Matt Horne in Wellington two years ago.

Cumming reached his 50 off 107 balls and his century arrived 70 balls later as he and Wasim continued their profitable association.

Cumming, 28, who has eight career centuries, has scored 712 runs at an average of 44.50 for Otago this season, including 543 at 60.33 since he was promoted to opener.

"Glenn [Otago coach Glenn Turner] said he would like me to open and I accepted his judgment," Cumming said last night.

"I trusted the way he saw it and it's been a good move."

Cumming praised the performance of the Otago bowlers in dismissing Wellington for 203.

"I thought our bowlers were outstanding; they have been for the last two or three games. There was a little bit in the pitch, but I think it's flattened out into a pretty good batting track."

Wasim was the perfect foil for Cumming and he made his 65 off 160 balls to boost his season aggregate to 641 at an average of 42.73. It was the sixth time he had passed 50.

Wellington resumed on 201 for nine yesterday. They added just two runs and were then forced to watch the Otago batsmen take over.

Otago scored 98 without loss in the 31 overs until lunch and 109 for two in the afternoon session.

They yielded a little of the initiative in the final session, scoring 74 for two off 31 overs, but Chris Gaffaney was still there at stumps, unbeaten on 49 off 135 balls.Walker claimed all three wickets, taking his season total to 46.

- NZPA