Cricket: 10-wicket tally adds to Auckland misery

Derek de Boorder. Photo / Getty Images

Otago bowler Warren McSkimming felt a bit embarrassed when acting captain Derek de Boorder asked him to return to the bowling crease yesterday.

The experienced seamer was stuck on nine wickets for the Plunket Shield match, and with Auckland's Chris Martin trudging towards the crease, de Boorder generously decided it was time to reintroduce his strike bowler.

Sheepishly, McSkimming obliged and removed the famously inept No 11. Martin spooned a catch to Michael Bracewell at gully to help complete a thoroughly miserable match for Auckland.

McSkimming's celebration was muted considering his achievement. He took five wickets in both innings to take 10 wickets in a match for only the second time in his career.

He acknowledged the special moment by briefly waving one arm in the air. Perhaps he was still feeling guilty about getting the chance to take Martin's wicket.

"I wasn't that happy about it because it is a team game and I'm not a greedy man," McSkimming said.

"But it was nice to get the opportunity to try and get a 10-for because it does not happen that often."

Otago won by 10 wickets, and the win has lifted the Volts to 22 points.

In Whangarei, Stephen Murdoch chalked up his maiden first-class century as Wellington set Northern Districts a challenging 384 for victory at Cobham Oval.

Murdoch, who made 86 in the first innings, ended unbeaten on 104 after an innings that saw 14 boundaries.

The 27-year-old opener, playing his sixth first-class match, shared in a 112-run stand for the second wicket with skipper Grant Elliott (65).

Northern seamer Brent Arnel took three wickets in the space of nine balls to be the pick of the home bowlers.

When bad light ended play Northern were 11 without loss, to set up an intriguing run chase on the final day.

Another run chase was on the cards in Rangiora, where competition leaders Central Districts lead Canterbury by 302 runs with five wickets in hand.

Former Black Cap Mathew Sinclair put a poor season by his standards behind him to register his 31st first-class ton to be unbeaten on 197 as Central ended 314 for five at the close.

He was ably assisted by George Worker, who made 88.

Canterbury earlier pulled the pin on their first innings at 296 for eight, a lead of 12 runs, after Dean Brownlie fell three runs short of a century when he was bowled by Michael Mason.

Leg-spinner Tarun Nethula was the best of Central's bowlers with four for 88.

- Otago Daily Times and NZPA