Cricket: Hard work for Auckland bowlers in Gisborne

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Northern Districts and Auckland quickly shunted aside the off-field, off-season distractions to produce an absorbing opening day's play in Gisborne yesterday.

In a State Championship match in which a dozen potential internationals were on show, honours after the day's mandatory 100 overs were even, with the home side 271 for six.

In winning the toss, Northern captain Robbie Hart took out the first of the day's little battles, having first use of a pitch which had much of the grass evident on Thursday shaved off.

It was a strip without pace and one which by day's end showed signs that by the fourth day it might be tailor-made for Daniel Vettori's spin.

For the Auckland bowlers it was hard work.

Without the early life they would have preferred, they were forced into a containing role - one which they managed well.

Quickly realising there would be little profit in bowling short, they concentrated on getting their length right and working to restrict the batsmen's scoring options.

For their part, Northern's top order batted sensibly.

Former Aucklander Nick Horsley, presented with his Northern Districts' cap - the 194th ND representative since their first game on Christmas Day 1956 - before the match, joined James Marshall in a solid opening.

They worked their way through almost 90 minutes of testing Auckland bowling to reach 66 before Horsley was undone by late call-up Heath Davis.

Apart from the odd early indiscretion, Davis, who celebrates his 31st birthday today, bowled well, generating reasonable pace on an unresponsive pitch.

While not required for the new ball, Davis soon overshadowed his higher-regarded teammates in removing Horsley and later Michael Parlane.

Both were well taken by Reece Young, who had an impressive day behind the wicket, when they appeared set to push on to a decent score.

Marshall worked his way to 50 (140 minutes) and beyond before being adjudged leg before - despite taking a reasonable step forward - by umpire Tony Hill who, along with Brent Bowden, contributed to a good day's cricket.

Auckland captain Brooke Walker tried his luck but found little to get enthusiastic about and gave his spin away after four overs, turning instead to Matt Horne's part-time medium pace.

In a decent workout, Horne got through 17 overs, picked up Matt Hart who was bowled by a full-pitched delivery, and ended with just 24 runs debited to his name.

Craig Pryor, back with Auckland after his southern sojourn, bowled better than his figures (one for 62 from 17 overs) might suggest.



When the innings could have faltered, Hamish Marshall stepped forward to play a useful hand, including a testing period late in the day after Walker had delayed using the new ball until the 90th (rather than 80th) over.

The challenge for Marshall, who begins today on 44, is to reach 50 for the fifth time and then, more importantly and with help from Joseph Yovich, Vettori, Daryl Tuffey and Graeme Aldridge, push on for a much-wanted first century.