Cricket: Ingram puts Central on target for perfect record

Peter Ingram spearheads the CD attack. Photo / Getty Images

Opener Peter Ingram's 65 not out at better than a run a ball has Central Districts on target to maintain their perfect record today after three rounds of the Plunket Shield.

Chasing 186 to beat Auckland at Colin Maiden Park, Ingram and Brad Patton had put on 67 to have Central 98 for one at stumps on the third day. They already top the table after wins in their previous two matches.

Earlier a gritty 96 by Anaru Kitchen kept Auckland hopes alive after at one stage they looked likely to crumble in three days. Largely thanks to a 129-run partnership between Kitchen and wicketkeeper Brad Cachopa, who scored 62, Auckland made 301 in their second innings.

Auckland began the day at 32 for one, still needing 84 to make Central bat again. The top order struggled again against the pace of Mitchell McClenaghan and Seth Rance. When Andrew de Boorder was out for 42 and Colin de Grandhomme for a pair with the total 95 for four, an early finish seemed likely.

But Kitchen and Cachopa, in his first season at this level, dug in and blunted the Central attack. Kitchen was given a couple of lives by the field before he reached 50 but he looked very secure as he approached his second century of the season.

He was caught at first slip off leg-spinner Tarun Nethula when the total was 236 and Cachopa followed soon after, mistiming a pull to be caught at midwicket off Mathew Sinclair.

In the strong wind that swept the Glen Innes ground Nethula, who played for Auckland last season, earned the best figures, taking four for 81 off 29 overs.

Meanwhile, in Whangarei Canterbury legspinner Todd Astle delivered a rapid execution to Northern Districts, who slumped to an embarrassing innings loss.

Umpires lifted the bails at Cobham Oval just half an hour after the third day began as Astle claimed five of the six wickets to fall for just 21 runs, the defending champions' middle and lower order displaying an inept technique against spin.

A stubborn Otago lower order batting effort means Wellington will have work to do at the Basin Reserve today if they want to notch their first outright win of the season.

A finish inside three days looked possible earlier yesterday when the visitors slumped to 135 for five, a lead of just 23 runs.

But Wellington had not reckoned on nightwatchman Nick Beard spoiling the party and setting up an intriguing final day.

The spin bowler batted for nearly 4 hours for 62, bettering his previous highest first-class score by 20 runs, while Sam Wells, who benefited from two dropped chances, was just as impressive in scoring 82.

- Additional reporting NZPA