Cricket: Stumps a mercy after Wellington's painfully slow progress

Wellington crawled to within sight of first-innings points against Otago during a tedious third day of their match at Carisbrook yesterday.

When stumps were mercifully drawn, Wellington were 297 for six, 169 runs short of gaining a first-innings lead.

They had scored at less than two runs an over during a day when Otago bowled their allotted 100 overs with 50 minutes to spare.

It was all rather baffling and even the purists were bored to distraction.

So were the umpires. Bradley Scott, who bowled the last over on Sunday night, bowled the first over yesterday, the error undetected.

Wellington evidently would not set Otago a reasonable declaration today and so the State Championship match meandered with few blows struck in anger.

Wellington scored 76 for three wickets off 41 overs in the morning session, 77 for two off 43 overs in the afternoon, and 69 without loss in the 38 overs until stumps.

They scored 252 for five in their first 130 overs, the length of the Otago innings of 465.

There were mutterings from Wellington about defensive Otago field placings but with the spinners sending down 66 overs yesterday, there were plenty of chances to display more aggression.

Wellington could declare overnight and hope they are set a run chase today, but that appears unlikely.

James Franklin, an elegant left-hander, was unbeaten on 57 at stumps after batting for 225 minutes and facing 180 balls, while Matthew Walker, on nine, already has two half-centuries this season.

Bradley Scott was the best of the Otago left-arm seamers and off-spinner Nathan Morland claimed two wickets during his long stint of 42 overs. Grant Donaldson seemed certain to score his maiden first-class century - he was dismissed for 96 this season - but again he was denied, this time eight runs short.

He clipped a ball from Morland firmly but straight to Chris Gaffaney at square leg. He had batted for 300 minutes, faced 273 balls and hit 13 fours.

* Northern Districts were facing defeat in their match against Canterbury in Christchurch.

Trailing by 246 on the first innings, Northern were 60 for six at stumps. At one stage the visitors were 12 for six.

* The third day of the match between Auckland and Central Districts at Eden Park was washed out.

Both teams waited around until late afternoon when match officials decided to call the day off, even though the rain had eased.

The fourth and final day is today.

Central Districts were 141 for two in their second innings after conceding a 30-run first-innings deficit to the hosts.

- NZPA