KEY POINTS:
Say what you like about the State Championship cricket competition but leadership has certainly not been lacking in Napier.
The four-day fixture between Central Districts and Otago at McLean Park was finely balanced at the halfway point, with the performances of the respective captains a main talking point.
Otago's first innings of 357 was underpinned by 133 from skipper Craig Cumming and the home side's response yesterday was built around the efforts of captain Mathew Sinclair.
Sinclair scored 108 as CD went to stumps at 316-7, with Ewen Thompson unbeaten on 19 and Richard Sherlock on 15 not out.
Central Districts had made a solid start in pursuit of their target after Peter Ingram scored 51 and his opening partner George Worker, 21.
Brad Patton chipped in with 32 but then things started going awry, first when Tim Weston retired hurt on two after being struck in the helmet by a short delivery. Recalled international Jacob Oram replaced him and made 28 before offering a catch to Cumming at mid-on, then Bevan Griggs went to the very next delivery from offspinner Nathan McCullum, when he edged behind for a first-ball duck.
From 140-2 Central Districts suddenly found themselves 193-5 with one specialist batsman back in the hut nursing an injury.
But up stepped Sinclair to take the fight to the visitors, showing patience and judicious shot selection to post his second first-class century of this season and the 25th of his career.
He found a willing ally in young Doug Bracewell, who helped his captain put on 79 for the sixth wicket. Bracewell's share was 26, which ended only when he chopped a ball from Ian Butler on to his stumps.
Sinclair's knock ended to a loose shot when he tried to hook a short ball from Mathew Harvie only to get an ugly top edge which was accepted by wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder.
- NZPA
