Smith's brave innings deserved better

Wanganui captain Greg Smith hits the ball back into the stumps of batting partner Dominic Rayner during their big partnership against Wairarapa on Saturday.

Active Physio Wanganui coach Warren Marr has heaped praise on his stand-in captain for a fighting innings that unfortunately yielded no personal or team reward in the abandoned Hawke Cup match against Wairarapa on the weekend.

Being out in the middle for all but seven overs of Wanganui's innings of 196 in 83 overs on Saturday, Greg Smith applied himself and firmly protected his wicket, scoring a crucial 91 off 215 balls on a hostile Tasman Tanning No1 pitch.

After a day in the field, the tired Wairarapa top order batsmen then collapsed in the last four overs before stumps, with allrounder Akash Gill taking three wickets to leave them reeling at 2-3.

However, it would be a frustrating Sunday in the pavilion as constant rain throughout the afternoon prevented Wanganui from getting back out there to bowl Wairarapa out and pick up first innings points for what would likely have only been a two innings match.

Having concentrated fiercely for so long, Marr said Smith was very disappointed to give away a catch when his maiden representative century was in sight.

"He was looking forward to getting on that honours board.

"It was worth more than 100 to the team, but he deserved that.

"Just huge. The surface wasn't easy to bat on. Greg really led the way there."

Rain has blighted both of Wanganui's Hawke Cup matches so far, however the pleasing trend for Marr is while the side has yet to break the 200 mark in their two innings, they have not surrendered their wickets quickly and defended for long periods on green pitches which suit pace bowling.

"The guys are learning that if we can bat like that on better surfaces, but still make good decisions, the runs will come more easily."

However, facing the daunting prospect of meeting Hawkes Bay this coming weekend at Napier's Nelson Park, Marr still has some squad deficiencies that need to be addressed.

"It's the top of the order and a spinner to complete the jigsaw. No one's really putting their hands up."