Otago pair have fun at ND's expense

Centuries by Otago batsmen Craig Cumming and Darren Broom brought Northern Districts, on the verge of winning the Plunket Shield title, down to earth with a bump at Cobham Oval.
The pair broke the  second-wicket partnership for Otago against Northern Districts at Cobham Oval yesterday with a stylish and selective batting performance.
Both players showed a reluctance to take risks at the wicket, instead taking to the ND bowling when it was ineffectual, both players effortlessly finding gaps in the attacking field to score heavily from boundaries.
Cumming was the first to bring up his century in the first hour of play after Otago had resumed at 165 for 1, bringing up his 100 off 195 balls, after 232 minutes at the crease. The 34-year-old former test opener scored 68 runs of his century in boundaries.
Broom, the younger brother of Black Cap Neil, who was injured on the first day of the match, reached his maiden first-class century in 194 balls, including 12 fours and one six. It was a big moment for the 24-year-old, who made his first-class debut in the match after following his brother to Otago, having failed to win a contract with Canterbury this season.
The partnership reached 247 before it was broken and it easily surpassed the  record of 220 set by Mark Richardson and Matt Horne in the 2001-2 season. Both batsmen were dismissed late in the afternoon session, departing within minutes of each other.
Broom reached 119 before he was caught by Kane Williamson off the bowling of Graeme Aldridge, who then trapped Cumming lbw in his  next over after the batsman had spent seven hours and 59 minutes at the crease for his 160. The wickets brought Northern Districts back into the match but Greg Todd and Nathan McCullum strengthened the Otago cause, taking the side to stumps without additional loss. Todd ended with 51, while McCullum was on
88 as Otago finished the day at 486 for 3, a lead of 21 runs.

 The only good news for the ND fielders was that their only rivals for the title, Central Districts, are now well behind  against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park.
 CD need an outright win to take the series into the last match against ND in Napier - which is looking increasingly unlikely.
Although a draw is the likeliest result, Otago  may fancy their chances of setting ND a score to chase and then  rolling them  on the final day of the match today. Play was to resume at 10.30am.