Cricket: O'Connor troubles Northern line-up

Shayne O'Connor's bowling was one of the most encouraging features as Otago retained the initiative in their match against Northern Districts at Carisbrook yesterday.

Northern Districts were struggling in their first innings, at 133 for five, in reply to Otago's 453 for eight declared when rain washed out play after the tea break on the third day of the State Championship clash.

Ninety-three overs have been lost in the match and, unless there is a minor miracle, first-innings points only will be at stake when the game ends today.

Otago's bowlers had to work hard on a dead pitch and so did the Northern batsmen, who scored at a tick over two runs an over.

Northern went to lunch at 80 for four off 34 overs and added 51 for the loss of one wicket during the afternoon session of 32 overs.

O'Connor, on the comeback after a long injury layoff, claimed two for 28 with his left-arm swing bowling, and troubled all the batsmen at times.

James Marshall was dropped by Jordan Sheed at short leg off the third ball of the innings, but O'Connor had better fortune in his second spell.

He had David Kelly leg-before playing across the line at a full-length ball and, in his next over, Hamish Marshall was caught behind from an away swinger without scoring.

Nick Horsley was run out by a brilliant pick-up and direct hit by Rob Lawson from mid-on. But James Marshall and Kelly settled in well to add 49 in 67 minutes for the second wicket.

Marshall scored his 34 from 74 balls before he was out to the second ball of James McMillan's second spell, well caught by Marcel McKenzie diving forward from point.

Captain Matthew Hart and Michael Parlane worked hard to steady the ship after lunch and it was slow going - 35 runs in 79 minutes - before Parlane was caught behind off the first ball of Jeff Wilson's third spell.

Parlane, usually an aggressive player, had batted 109 minutes and 85 balls for his 25, an indication of the slowness of the pitch and some accurate Otago bowling.

Hart took his responsibilities seriously and ended the day unbeaten on 20, made in nearly two hours and almost 100 balls.

Otago coach Glenn Turner acknowledged the match would now be a battle for first-innings points, weather permitting.

"There are several possible scenarios with us getting 453," he said.

"Northern Districts have the chance of just playing for first-innings points, or of declaring if and when they get beyond the follow-on mark.

"We then would have to leave them a target, which would provide a chance of outright victory for either team."

- NZPA