Cricket: Canterbury fall to under-strength but inspired Otago

An under-strength Otago bowling attack dismissed a Canterbury side top-heavy with Black Caps to claim their first outright State Championship win of the season by 114 runs at University Oval, Dunedin, yesterday.

Otago had their bowling ranks depleted after Warren McSkimming broke a bone in his hand batting on the first day.

Otago, resuming at 164 for five overnight, declared at 242 for seven, leaving the visitors with a winning target of 353 off 80 overs. They never threatened, falling for 238 in the 75th over and leaving them with no points after three rounds of the State Championship.

The Otago bowlers were well backed up in the field, especially by wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins, who took 10 catches, equalling the New Zealand record.

Otago made steady progress in the first 30 minutes of their second innings yesterday.

Jordan Sheed's innings of 89 included 12 fours and was his highest first-class score while first innings century-maker Greg Todd, on 13 overnight, brought up his 50 within the first hour. It came off 76 balls in 77 minutes and included seven fours. He was unbeaten for the second time in the match on 59.

At lunch Canterbury were 17 for one, and things got worse when opener Michael Papps made a late decision to leave a Jeff Wilson delivery and edged it through to the wicketkeeper.

Four runs later, Wilson had Nathan Astle in two minds about whether to leave or play. In the end, the ball flicked his front pad before cannoning into off stump.

Soon after tea Canterbury captain Craig McMillan edged a Bradley Scott delivery to first slip to end the run chase.

Canterbury could not hold out against an inspired Otago bowling performance.

Wilson drove the final nail into the Canterbury coffin when he clean bowled Chris Martin for nine.

- NZPA