KEY POINTS:
Tim McIntosh underlined his growing stature with a sparkling century for Auckland in their State Championship match against Otago yesterday.
The left-handed opener stroked a quality, unbeaten 173 as Auckland reached a threatening 312 for three at stumps on the opening day of the four-day fixture at Bert
Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln near Christchurch.
McIntosh, 26, was in imperious form, defying the Otago attack for six hours as he registered his 10th first-class century.
His conversion rate to three figures is exceptional, having now passed 50 on 20 occasions at this level.
He was on 54 when Auckland went to lunch on 102 for two after losing Richard Jones for 29 and English import Mal Loye for 11.
There was a personal touch to Loye's departure because he was removed lbw by his Lancashire county teammate, Kyle Hogg.
Lou Vincent went immediately after lunch for a nine-ball duck, again trapped lbw by Hogg, to reduce Auckland to 104 for three, before McIntosh found a willing accomplice in Ron Nicol, who will take guard this morning on 86.
These two put on a record unbroken stand of 208 for the fourth wicket, during which McIntosh made his century by smashing Nathan McCullum to the long on boundary after the offspinner had held him scoreless for 10 deliveries.
They have already gone past the previous Auckland best for the fourth wicket, against Otago of 176 scored by Verdun Scott and Raymond Emery in 1945-46.
McIntosh has already found the boundary 22 times while Nicol was not shy either, hitting 13 fours and one six while Otago were forced to toil long and hard.
Hogg was their best bowler, finding a good length on a favourable batting surface to claim two for 49 off 21 overs.
Bradley Scott also benefited from accuracy, taking one for 37 off 21 overs.
WELLINGTON v CD
Greg Hay marked his first-class debut by guiding Central Districts to first innings points over Wellington.
The Nelson right-handed batsman was left stranded on 98 not out when the 2005-06 champions advanced from their overnight 42 for one to 298 all out on the second day at the Basin Reserve.
That enabled them to head Wellington by two runs on the first innings while Hay fell short by the same margin of becoming just the sixth Central Districts player to score a century on debut.
The match is delicately poised with Wellington progressing to 77 for one in their second innings by stumps, with Michael Parlane to resume today on 35 and Jeetan Patel on three.
Batting at No 6, Hay, 22, was cruelly denied a century when tailender Lance Hamilton was bowled by Mark Gillespie for a duck after helping Hay add 13 runs for the final wicket.
It was a milestone he deserved to reach after a fine, fighting innings which kept Central Districts well in the game after they had slumped to 99 for five within the first hour yesterday.
CANTERBURY v ND
BJ Watling was left to console himself that his time will surely come after again falling short of a significant milestone yesterday.
Watling, 21, did not quite make the most of two fortuitous let-offs as he scored 93 in the opener's slot for Northern Districts against Canterbury on the opening day at Rangiora.
He might have made the biggest contribution to the visitors' first innings of 272 but he must now continue the search for his maiden first-class century.
Watling's teammate, seamer Daryl Tuffey, showed encouraging signs on his comeback from injury to remove Canterbury opener Todd Astle as the home side reached 26 for one by the end of play.
In his 17th match at this level, Watling at least had the satisfaction of passing his previous best of 88 before being deceived by former international Chris Harris to offer a return catch to end his 220-minute stay.
Watling struck 12 boundaries after being dropped in the slips when on three and later shouldering arms only to be bowled off a no ball.
- NZPA
