Plunket Shield: Auckland in tight tussle with Otago

Otago's Neil Broom in action. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today Photographer Paul Taylor

Auckland have a scrap on their hands to avoid going zero from two when their second round Plunket Shield domestic cricket match against Otago wraps up at Eden Park No2 tomorrow.

Having been beaten by Wellington in their opening match, last season's shield winners start at 101 for two, requiring a further 272 to beat Otago.

The southerners, who had earlier won a surprise 19-run first innings advantage, then pressed it home reaching 353 of which former international Neil Broom made an
impressive 161, his 18th first-class century and 15th for Otago.

Broom battled five and a quarter hours over his innings, which included 20 fours and three sixes.

He added 112 for the third wicket with Josh Finnie (60).

Otago batsman Ryan Duffy did not bat in the second innings, ruled out of the match on medical advice having been struck a painful blow on his helmet from a ball by Lockie Ferguson on day one.

Legspinner Tarun Nethula followed his six first innings wickets with four for 88, giving him 10 for 124 in the match, the second 10-for achievement of his first-class career to follow 11 for 272 against Central Districts last season.

Auckland lost opener Jeet Raval, carving seamer Christi Viljoen to gully, and Robbie O'Donnell to a legside strangle off the same bowler.

Michael Guptill-Bunce starts tomorrow on 39 and captain Rob Nicol on seven.

International Henry Nicholls starts today in sight of what would be his fifth first-class century, with Canterbury holding an overall lead of 32 over Central Districts.

The hosts are 229 for five, Nicholls on 91 after just over four hours at the crease.

Earlier, Dane Cleaver made his second first-class hundred, 104, in CD's first innings 399, giving them a 197-run first innings lead.

Wellington have their noses in front in a rain-affected match at the Basin Reserve against Northern Districts.

ND made 285 and Wellington start the last day at 299 for five, veteran Luke Woodcock's eighth first-class 100 providing a large chunk of the runs.

Michael Pollard made 68 while Scott Kuggeleijn followed his century with three wickets in a solid allround performance.