Cricket: Wellington edge close to rare victory

Gareth Hopkins was one of the few Auckland players to show determination. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Wellington are close to giving themselves a Plunket Shield cricket lifeline as they edge towards victory over Canterbury at Rangiora.

They enter the fourth and final day of the seventh-round fixture today on 105 without loss in their second innings, 150 runs short of securing just their second victory of the season.

Wellington, who began the round in fifth place and 11 points adrift of competition leaders Central Districts, were well served by both their bowlers and batsmen yesterday after Canterbury resumed their second innings at 108 for four, leading overall by only 23 runs.

Fine innings by Shanan Stewart and Reece Young ensured Canterbury went on to a very respectable 339, with Stewart denied a deserved century when he edged behind off spinner Jeetan Patel on 99 after 231 minutes at the crease.

Young went in the very next over for 79, the victim of another edge to wicketkeeper Joe Austin-Smellie, this time off seamer Grant Elliott, who took three for 33 off 16 overs.

Wellington's left-arm quick Andy McKay took four for 76 to finish with nine wickets for the match.

Batsmen Stephen Murdoch and Cameron Merchant then put on an unbroken stand of 105 before bad light forced an early close.

At Hamilton, Northern Districts should inflict Auckland's fifth outright defeat today after again enjoying the better of the contest yesterday.

The visitors ended the third day at Seddon Park on 259 for nine in their second innings, leading overall by only 196 runs.

They began the day disastrously, losing Tim McIntosh for a second ball duck and his opening partner Jeet Raval for seven.

Captain Gareth Hopkins was one of the few to display the necessary grit and determination but his defiance ended when he was on 85 as he became one of six leg before wicket decisions in the innings as Trent Boult trapped him in front after 228 minutes of resistance.

Anaru Kitchen also made 46 but Auckland could not produce the required substance to unduly unsettle a Northern Districts attack led by Boult, who took three for 55 to complement the fine work of newcomer James Baker, who claimed three for 50.

Despite losing the second day because of rain, Otago's match against Central Districts still promises to produce a result in Dunedin.

Otago enter the final day at 113 for three in their second innings, leading overall by just 38 runs after the visitors rode the coat-tails of half-centuries to skipper Kruger van Wyk and Tarun Nethula to reach 222 in their first innings.

- NZPA