Cricket: Aldridge shines from out of the shadows

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Northern Districts v Auckland:

Graeme Aldridge has rarely commanded a regular place in four seasons with Northern Districts, but when given the chance to emerge from the shadows of his international team-mates, he has proved more than useful.

Even in the match against Auckland, which enters its last day in Gisborne this morning with Auckland 192 runs away from a first innings lead, Aldridge probably only won his place when Ian Butler cried off with a slight thigh injury.

Making the most of the opportunity to play his 20th first-class game in this rain-ruined State Championship affair, Aldridge again displayed his ability as a dogged tailender.

Joining Hamish Marshall with Northern's first innings at 320 for nine, Aldridge hung around for an hour, scored 12 and helped push the total to 358, which may yet prove good enough for the points.

Later, as Auckland's test-opening pair of Mark Richardson and Matt Horne worked their way through the first hour to reach 39, Aldridge the medium-fast bowler was brought in as first change behind Daryl Tuffey and Joseph Yovich.

Bowling his usual tight line, Aldridge soon deceived Horne who offered no shot and turned to see his off stump askew.

Yesterday, when the misty rain finally gave way and play, at 3pm, was possible, Aldridge again took his chance having Richardson taken by Robbie Hart at the wicket for 26 after 106 patient minutes on a pitch which has been without pace throughout.

Dire predictions that this would be a low-scoring affair on a deteriorating pitch have hardly been realised.

Marshall was left 88 not out in Northern's innings - his second highest first class score topped only by the 92 he scored against Auckland last season. His twin brother James had earlier scored 74.

And when stumps were finally called after 7pm, two of Auckland's young guns, Tim McIntosh and Rob Nicol, had added 108 in an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership.

Nicol, a member of New Zealand's under-19 World Cup team and who finished his debut season with a first class average of 44.45, reached his well-deserved half century just before the close while McIntosh needs just two runs to reach the same milestone.

With the two points for the first innings, and not much more, on offer it promises to be an absorbing first session today with Northern hoping the catch Scott Styris dropped from McIntosh off Tuffey 30 minutes before stumps does not come back to haunt them.