Cricket: Auckland falter despite century

Auckland batsman Tim McIntosh made 101, but his team failed to capitalise on the platform he laid. Herald file picture / Kenny Rodger

Tim McIntosh's century laid the foundation but his Auckland teammates failed to build on it in the State Championship match against Central Districts in Napier yesterday.

McIntosh's fine innings ended immediately before tea, with Auckland cruising at 157 for two on the second day after the home side's first innings of 224 at McLean Park.

But Auckland failed to capitalise on the left-handed opener's contribution of 101, ending the day on 238 for five.

Central Districts fought back in the last session, taking another three wickets and slowing the run rate to improve their position at the halfway mark.

McIntosh raised his ninth first-class century in the over before tea with a succession of boundaries off Brendon Diamanti. But no sooner had he raised the milestone than he was gone, edging Diamanti to wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs when trying to pull a shortish ball through mid wicket.

His 101 came off 201 balls in 280 minutes and contained 11 fours.

McIntosh shared a second wicket stand of 154 with Auckland debutant Tim Lythe, who made 63.

Lythe looked at home on the first-class stage as he and McIntosh began cautiously after Auckland resumed on three for one.

They were kept honest in the opening session by the Central Districts bowlers before flourishing after lunch to steer Auckland into a powerful position.

But Lythe's innings ended after the tea break, when Jamie How had him caught by Ross Taylor. The Aucklander had struck nine boundaries in his 161-ball stay.

Former international Matthew Horne did not trouble the scorers before Tama Canning departed for 20 to leave Auckland on 212 for five.

Rob Nichol safely negotiated his way to stumps to be on 29 not out, with Carl Cachopa on 10.

The Central Districts bowlers stuck to their task despite missing the services of Lance Hamilton, who left the ground injured during his 12th over.

Michael Mason took two for 20 off 22 testing overs while Diamanti captured two for 56.

Canterbury v Wellington

The weather did what Canterbury couldn't by keeping Wellington's batsmen quiet in Christchurch.

Rain meant only 16 overs were possible at QEII Village Green on the second day of the four-day match.

Having run the Canterbury bowlers ragged on Monday when compiling 415 for five, Wellington advanced their score by 50 runs yesterday for the loss of two wickets.

Jesse Ryder did not add to his overnight 133 before falling to West Indian import Nixon McLean while South African Grant Elliott doubled his overnight score of one before becoming Timaru teenager Hamish Bennett's first first-class victim.

Wicketkeeper Chris Nevin was unbeaten on 28 at the early close alongside Mark Gillespie on 15.

Otago v Northern Districts

Aaron Redmond was as good as his word when helping Otago into a position of power against Northern Districts in Gisborne.

The Otago allrounder this week said he wanted to develop into a dominant player at first-class level, and dominate he did with an innings of 99 not out at Harry Barker Reserve.

Otago ended the second day of the four-day fixture on 319 for two, holding a lead of 90 runs, after dismissing Northern Districts for 229 on Monday.

All the honours went the way of Otago yesterday after they resumed on 15 without loss.

Openers Craig Cumming and Jordan Sheed garnered 97 runs before they were parted in unusual circumstances when Cumming retired hurt on 46 after straining a calf muscle while running a single.

Cumming's enforced departure hardly signalled a breakthrough for Northern Districts, as the visitors continued to apply all the pressure.

There was some respite for Northern Districts when Sheed, after 177 minutes at the crease and 10 fours, was dismissed for 62.

His dismissal heralded the arrival of South African allrounder Jonathan Trott, who marked his maiden appearance at this level in New Zealand by taking four wickets.

Yesterday Trott exhibited his allround abilities with an entertaining knock of 89 as he and Redmond shared a second-wicket partnership of 144.

He was on the brink of a century when seamer Joseph Yovich enticed an edge behind.

Yovich was the only bowler to taste success, returning two for 87 off 16 overs.

- NZPA