Cricket: Classy batting saves the day for Auckland

By GRAHAM REDDAWAY

Auckland staged a remarkable recovery in their top-of-the-table clash with Canterbury when they ended the second day's play at 244 for seven, after New Zealand under-19 representative Rob Nicol and wicketkeeper Reece Young put together an unbeaten eighth-wicket stand of 139.

Auckland had struggled to 105 for seven in the face of a sharp pace attack led by Chris Martin and Warren Wisneski.

But once the portable pitch on Eden Park's main ground flattened out, their attack fell apart while Nicol and Young thrived.

Young, in particular, showed dazzling touches in scoring 80 in just over three hours.

Stephen Cunis gave good support as the third seamer but when Wisneski left the field because of a recurrence of his pulled hamstring after bowling eight overs, the burden became too much for the remaining bowlers.

Wisneski was dubious about playing any further role in the game with two days remaining. Standing by as the 13th man is team manager Grant McWhirter.

The game started half an hour late and the boundary on the south side of the ground had to be shortened by 15m to bypass a very wet patch.

The first day was washed out.

* Central Districts are strongly placed at the halfway mark of their match against Otago at Molyneux Park in Alexandra.

Having begun the day at 48 for two, in reply to CD's 185, Otago tumbled to be dismissed for 123. Only Chris Gaffeney and Andrew Hore got to 20 in a miserable performance. Andrew Schwass took four for 29.

Test batsman Mathew Sinclair then chose a good time, the England series being not far away, to get among the runs.

Sinclair ended the day 118 not out, as CD marched to 234 for three, for an overall lead of 296.

His runs came off 190 balls, with 14 fours and a six, and he shared a 129-run stand for the third wicket. Ben Smith, the English professional, notched up 57.