Cricket: O'Connor the danger-man

By Chris Rattue

It took just 17 overs from Otago to turn what had become a good day into one of disappointment for the Auckland cricket side at Eden Park yesterday.

They might still be grateful for one small mercy. When they dismissed Otago for 241 to lead by seven runs and take first-innings points, Auckland managed to do something they failed to do last season - register some points on the Shell Trophy table.

But new-ball bowler Shayne O'Connor, who is having a fine match in his bid to regain a place in the Black Caps, and former Aucklander Paul Wiseman took two wickets each as Auckland battled their way to 66 for four in the second innings.

Auckland owed their slight first-innings advantage to some superb fielding. Brooke Walker, at point, threw down the wicket from side-on to run out Mark Richardson and effected a stunning catch to dismiss Stephen Mather from Aaron Barnes' bowling.

Walker took a couple of quick paces and dived full length and forward after Mather had smashed the ball square.

Ian Billcliff then cut short O'Connor's innings, diving forward at square-leg to take the catch which left the visitors at 237 for nine. That produced nearly six overs of a game within a game as Auckland captain Blair Pocock tried to balance just enough defence with the right number of catchers close to the wicket against tailenders Nathan Morland and David Sewell.

The innings ended when Sewell poked a Barnes delivery to wicketkeeper Jason Mills.

Auckland may not need a huge target to defend. The outer oval pitch is starting to play low.

But O'Connor, with his stock-ball in-swinger causing plenty of problems - Aaron Barnes was trapped without playing a shot - looks to have the measure of the Auckland side after taking six wickets in the first innings.