By TERRY MADDAFORD
TAUPO - Daniel Vettori's on-going international cricket commitments handed an unlikely opportunity to Bruce Martin. Yesterday, the 19-year-old left-arm spinner returned an early dividend for Northern Districts with a five-wicket bag in only his third first class game.
Martin, who turns 20 on Anzac Day and played his early
cricket in Kerikeri before moving to Hamilton, put his hand up when it became apparent Vettori would not be around for the Shell Trophy. Yesterday, he picked up five for 22 from 13.5 overs as a disappointing Auckland side crashed to be all out for 131.
Following on 214 in arrears, the competition co-leaders were still struggling at 34 for one in their second innings.
Northern, resuming at 275 for five yesterday morning, added only 70 before their first innings ended at 345.
But when Auckland were sent reeling - they were 54 for six in seemingly no time - those runs were obviously enough to ensure Northern of at least first innings points, and perhaps by the end of play tomorrow, the competition lead.
While Martin, an obvious contender along with other players in this match for the New Zealand A team, took the honours, the initial breakthrough had been made by Simon Doull - a class act - and Joseph Yovich, who bowled with both pace and direction to have the Auckland batsmen firmly on the back foot.
After trapping Richard King leg before but then having his patience tested as Tama Canning and Brooke Walker did their best to save a hopeless cause - they added 56 in 70 minutes for the seventh wicket - Martin came back to pick up the last four wickets, including Canning and Walker.
He then had the added satisfaction of removing John Aiken with his first delivery of Auckland's second innings.
National selection panel convenor Ross Dykes has seen plenty in the first two days of this match to suggest players like Walker, Martin, Canning, Daryl Tuffey and maybe Lou Vincent, Yovich and Michael Parlane could force their way on to that A team short list.
For the Aucklanders there are, however, more pressing concerns.
