Cricket: Broom sweeps up for Otago

Neil Broom scored 152 not out as Otago beat Auckland by five wickets. Photo / Getty Images

Neil Broom peeled off yet another century to guide Otago to a deceptively easy Plunket Shield cricket win over Auckland today.

The New Zealand one-day international scored an unbeaten 152, his third first-class century in as many matches, as Otago chased down their victory target of 314 with five wickets to spare at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.

Broom's golden patch of form saw Otago secure victory shortly after lunch after he and Leighton Morgan resumed this morning when the match was still in the balance with Otago on 188 for five.

While Broom converted his overnight 86 into the eighth century of his career, Morgan contributed an equally invaluable 71 not out as they posted an unbeaten 162 for the sixth wicket.

Broom was very much the senior partner, batting for more than five hours in all as he faced 240 balls and hit 22 fours and one six.

The 26-year-old right-hander, who had already scored centuries against Wellington and Central Districts in Otago's last two matches, lifted his aggregate for the season to 566 runs at an average of 94.3

The threadbare Auckland attack was unable to make any breakthroughs today as captain Gareth Hopkins had to make do with a four-pronged attack because of a groin strain suffered by seamer Pieter Erasmus.

His options were further limited when legspinner Tarun Nethula copped some heavy punishment yesterday, leaving the workload to be shared by seamers Michael Bates, Ravi Bopara and offspinner Bhupinder Singh.

Singh at one stage threatened to take the game away from Otago by picking up three quick wickets yesterday but both Broom and Morgan had his measure today as Otago ensured Auckland, the defending champions, enter the Christmas break without a point through five rounds of the competition.

- NZPA