Unwanted Black Cap No 3 batsman Peter Ingram was conspicuous in his trademark navy blue bandanna, padded up but relaxed in Napier.
Out on the crease were Central Districts skipper Jamie How and Brad Patton, patiently working their way into the Stags' innings as the inexperienced seam attack of Andrew Lamb and Malaesaili Tugaga chugged in from both ends of McLean Park yesterday.
Having won the toss and skittled the Wellington Firebirds for 250 in 87.5 overs, CD resumed this morning on 25 for the loss of no wickets with How unbeaten on 13 and Patton on 10.
But it wasn't Ingram's reshuffle in the batting order or that How had broken from tradition after the toss to field that barked like rabid dogs as much as the changing of guards in CD's bowling ranks on the first day of the four-day Plunket Shield match.
With Michael Mason in the New Zealand one-day squad, the young brigade stepped up yesterday with Doug Bracewell and Adam Milne carving up the Wellington line-up.
Ten-match-old Bracewell registered a career-best 5-47, his maiden five-wicket bag at first-class level, while Milne, in his second game in the shield competition, took four scalps for 49.
Bracewell said patience and fighting the urge to ``go searching too much'' were the key factors in their success.
``I'm pretty rapt with the five-wicket bag. It's always a good sign with younger guys coming through,'' he said, paying tribute to Wairarapa seamer Seth Rance for a huge season too.
Experienced seamers such as Ewen Thompson and Mason were pivotal, especially when the youngsters took some stick.
``Yeah, we're obviously happy with the result but it was pretty green earlier on so it was important we put the new ball in the right areas to pick up a few early wickets,'' Bracewell told SportToday at stumps.
``We're pretty happy to keep them at 250 but we would have been more happier to keep them at 200,'' said the 19-year-old Napier Old Boys' Marist player who was padded up as nightwatchman.
``It was either Milney [Milne] or me so I said I'd do it. Luckily they didn't have to use me,'' he said with a grin. Despite the covers on the wicket last night, the effects of the torrential downpour would have tested the batsmen today with moisture likely to offer the bowlers some assistance on a benign batting strip.
The New Zealand under-19 World Cup representative this season said coming out hard today was vital, posting at least 100-run lead. Yesterday Firebird No 3 Cameron Merchant was looking good on 63 until Milne claimed his wicket. No 6 top score with an unbeaten 73 while the others struggled.
Napier wickets have been kind to Milne, who also spearhead Manwatu's bowling attack when they snatched the symbol of minor cricket supremacy from Hawke's Bay, the Hawke Cup, at Nelson Park across the road.
Said the 17-year-old right-armer: ``It's pretty awesome to get four. It was a bit of a rough start but came through on the end and got a couple.
``Napier's been pretty good to me,'' said a jovial Milne, who helps with the Manawatu Cricket Association's junior coaching programme.
It was a great time to be in the CD equation, he felt, with a robust pool of talent with Thompson, Mason, How and Sinclair in the mix.
``It's good to learn off these guys and develop my game,'' said the former Palmerston North Boys' High School pupil who was an U19 World Cup reserve.
Milne was out of Manawatu's last Hawke Cup defence this weekend but was also mindful that when Mason returns from Caps' squad he could become surplus to requirements.
Skipper How said the decision to open with Patton was an acknowledgement that Ingram was the incumbent test No 3.
``Brad's been batting well at No 3 but there's not much difference between batting at three and opening,'' said the former international who is in the Twenty20 World Cup squad with fellow Stags Sinclair, Ross Taylor, Ingram, Jacob Oram, Brendon Diamanti, Mason and Kieran Noema-Barnett.
CRICKET: Talented CD teens carve up Wellington
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