Cricket: Auckland bowlers hold Otago down

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Otago captain Craig Cumming led by example with a defiant century on the first day of their match against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.

But without support, a big total was always going to be struggle.

Former Auckland allrounder Craig Pryor scored a handy 39 as he and Cumming added 106 in 127 minutes for the fifth wicket - the major contribution to a useful but hardly menacing 241.

In reply Auckland, without opening batsman Matt Horne - who hurt an ankle in pre-match warm-ups - posted an ominous 56 without loss. Mark Richardson was all bristling business in reaching 43 in an innings that included eight boundaries.

On a pitch offering something to the bowlers in the first session, Otago overcame the early loss of Robbie Lawson to reach 65 without undue concern.

Then Simon Beare chose to leave a Gareth Shaw delivery and turned to see his stumps shattered.

Eight runs later, Shaw sent back Chris Gaffaney when he found an inside edge that rattled the furniture.

Shaw, back after missing the last game through injury, took his first-class haul to four - all bowled, with three batsmen choosing not to play shots.

Once Tama Canning trapped Cumming leg before, the Otago innings fell apart.

Auckland skipper Brooke Walker finished strongly to remove Nathan Morland, Rob Smith and James McMillan - all leg before - collecting three for 40 after his first eight overs had cost 26 runs and no reward.

Walker and off-spinner Rob Nicol, who had Martyn Croy well-taken by Llorne Howell - one of two excellent catches square of the wicket - shouldered most of the late-innings workload.

Auckland are well-placed to press on today. They will be keen to bat only once.

* Wellington made heavy weather on the opening day of their match against Canterbury at the Basin Reserve.

Having won the toss, they were dismissed for 182, crawling along at about two runs an over.

Only captain and opener Matthew Bell, with 57, and Mark Jefferson, with 34, made much progress.

Canterbury were 20 for one at stumps.