Cricket: Bracewell comes up three short of century

Michael Bracewell. Photo / Getty Images

Opening batsman Michael Bracewell fell agonisingly short of a maiden first-class century as Otago made light of difficult batting conditions to make 309 for nine on the first day of their four-day Plunket Shield cricket match in Dunedin.

The 20-year-old left-hander was dismissed for 97 as the hosts, who were asked to bat after losing the toss, overcame a 30-minute delay to their innings because of a heavy dew to post a competitive total.

Bracewell, the nephew of former New Zealand internationals John and Brendon and son of former Otago representative Mark, seemed set for three figures in his second game at the top level after denying Auckland's pace attack, but fell to left-arm spinner Bruce Martin.

The under-19 international has shown promise in his two first-class starts, with previous innings of 45 and an unbeaten 34, and now boasts a healthy average of 88.

He received good support through the middle order from Darren Broom (75) but it took a rapid unbeaten 51 from Neil Wagner to get Otago past 300 before bad light ended play early.

Black Caps pace spearhead Chris Martin was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with five for 105.

At Whangarei, opener Stephen Murdoch hit his second-highest first-class score as Wellington crawled to 227 for five at stumps batting first against Northern Districts at Cobham Oval.

Murdoch made 86 and shared in a valuable 144-run partnership with Neale Parlane (58) for the third wicket as Wellington were cautious. Murdoch's innings lasted over five hours and his diligence was matched by Parlane, who took 177 balls to score his runs.

Stewart Rhodes was unbeaten on 19 and Joe Austin-Smellie was 25 not out at the close.

Left-armer Trent Boult had the economical figures of two for 35 from 21 overs as the leading Northern Districts pacemen conceded less than two runs an over.

Competition leaders Central Districts were forced to wait until the rain cleared at Rangiora before play began at 4.30pm against Canterbury and were in a spot of bother when play ended 37 overs later.

They reached 154 for five with allrounder Andy Ellis claiming three for 19. Ellis removed Mathew Sinclair but not before the former Black Cap got the 12 runs he needed to bring up 12,000 first-class runs.

Tim Weston was the last wicket to fall after a hard-hit 44.

- NZPA