Cricket: Auckland batsmen come up with the goods again

by BOB PEARCE


For the second match in a row Auckland's depth in batting earned them first-innings points at Eden Park yesterday.

Central Districts had the defending State Championship winners 149 for nine wickets, still 52 runs short of their first-innings tally of 201.

It was eerily reminiscent of the last game at the park when the Aucklanders were 139 for eight, also chasing 202 for first-innings points against Wellington. In that game captain Brooke Walker and Paul Hitchcock achieved the objective.

Walker was involved again yesterday when, with No 11 Kerry Walmsley, he put on 82 for the last wicket as Auckland compiled 231. Walmsley made 48 while Walker was left 33 not out.

Central became increasingly frustrated as the pair survived the second new ball and consistently found gaps in the attacking field.

Walmsley played and missed a few times but didn't give a chance until he was caught at the wicket off Ewen Thompson.

The tall fast bowler, who has scored a first-class 50, struck eight fours in his 48, which came in 103 minutes off 81 balls.

Auckland had been happy to bowl first on Saturday morning when the air was humid and the wicket contained some moisture. Walmsley and Kyle Mills chipped the batsmen out but opener Peter Ingram with his debut first-class century ensured a respectable total.

The 25-year-old from Manawatu carried his bat for 105 but of his team-mates only Craig Spearman, with 27, got past 11. Mills completed a five-wicket haul when he shattered Lance Hamilton's stumps.

The Auckland innings went in fits and starts. Opener Tim McIntosh went cheaply and Reece Young, who was promoted in the order, made a solid 36 but at the close of the first day 85 for four was disappointing.

Matt Horne, with 38, and Aaron Barnes, 26, saw the total to 123. Then five wickets fell for 26 and, until the last-wicket stand, Central's attack was well on top.

The destroyer was left-arm medium-pacer Thompson, who at one stage had taken three wickets for six runs in six overs. He finished with five for 43.

Central's second innings began badly when Ingram went cheaply and Jamie How followed for a quick-fire 38. But the experienced Spearman and Mathew Sinclair were still together at stumps with Central 141 for 2, ahead overall by 111.