Cricket: Wicket and even the new ball spurn Stags

Wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver joins Fellow Stags to celebrate the dismissal of Otago batsman Neil Broom from an Adam Milne delivery at the University Oval yesterday. Photo / Otago Daily Times

Adam Milne's voice gave it away not long after the bails were lifted at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin yesterday.

"Yeah, it's been a pretty long day," Milne managed after the Central Districts Stags trudged off the park with the Otago Volts reaching 319-5 on day one of the round four Plunket Shield match.

"It was a little bit better in the game without bowling really well and without taking wickets consistently which allowed them to build partnerships around us and get away," said the Stags speed merchant.

Former test opening batsman Hamish Rutherford was the biggest beneficiary, deviating from the bolshy type of player in the mould of his father, former international Ken, to conservatively carve out 142 runs to save the hosts' blushes so far this summer.

"He played well and waited for the balls to be in the scoring area and is a classy cricketer in the first-class game," Milne said of Rutherford, who claimed his 11th ton in the four-day format before chasing a loose delivery from the country's top domestic spinner, Ajaz Patel, only to drag it on to his furniture.

But the 28-year-old left-hander had stopped the rot in his 247-ball, five-hour occupation of the crease as the Volts' top order again wobbled at 19-2.

Fellow opener Brad Wilson had feathered one to CD wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver from new-ball bowler Navin Patel for one run before captain Rob Nicol, at first drop, couldn't shuffle in time to comprehend Milne's blistering pace and was trapped lbw for loose change.

But Rutherford and Neil Broom, who would have reinforced the faith NZ selectors had put in him for the NZ A side against the Windies, safely steered Otago through to lunch.

The pair forged a third-wicket partnership of 111 runs before Broom edged Milne to the slip cordon to depart for 41 runs.

Former Black Cap allrounder Jimmy Neesham came and went for 28 runs after CD seamer Blair Tickner enticed him into mistiming a hook shot but wicketkeeper Derek de Border and Anaru Kitchen licked their chops to remain unbeaten on 46 runs each despite CD skipper William Young taking the new ball but finding little traction from it.

Pre-match, pitch curator Mike Davies had told the Otago Daily Times he had sacrificed the pace and bounce of last summer to produce pitches that would suit both slow and fast bowlers.

To achieve that, the grass was left thicker and longer in the middle of the pitch where the seamers typically hit the deck and thinned and cut shorter at the ends in the hope of providing slower bowlers some traction.

The jury's going to be out on that one until Saturday but how did CD find the wicket after losing the toss and polishing the red ball?

"Occasionally you get the good bounce and carry but it got lower and a bit slower so it's a traditional Dunedin wicket and doesn't change much," said the 25-year from Manawatu amid sardonic laughter.

Milne, who also has been named in the New Zealand A side to play the West Indies, said the pitch was almost devoid of turn.

During the prayers in the changing room with coach Heinrich Malan, the mantra was simple - get them out early when play resumes this morning.

"We have to try to be patient and persistent to create chances," Milne said, relishing the opportunity to be back in the Stags' environment again to help the collective as well as sharpen their individual skills.

If Davies' wicket forecast is anything to go by and the weather gods play ball in the next three days, Ajaz Patelwill fancy his chances but so will Otago's ex-international Mark Craig.