Cricket: Classy centuries for test batsmen

PALMERSTON NORTH - Otago showed how easy runs were to come by on the first day of their Shell Trophy cricket match against holders Central Districts yesterday.

Central had caved in for a paltry 165 runs in just 49.1 overs and at stumps Otago were in total control at 195 for one.

Otago's star was former test batsman Matthew Horne, who looked ready for a recall with his 14th first-class century, 109 not out at stumps.

Horne took three hours over his innings, which came off 142 balls and including a towering six over long-on off offspinner Campbell Furlong.

By contrast, the Central batsmen fell like ninepins - recalled New Zealand player Mathew Sinclair, who scored 102 not out, aside - and Otago claimed first-innings points on the first day of the four-day match.

Central won both of their previous games outright but will be doing well to get out of this predicament.

Sinclair's chanceless innings almost solely kept the Stags afloat, while former Wellingtonian Glenn Jonas bounded in to claim a best haul of six wickets for Otago.

The Central innings lasted only 200 minutes and Sinclair was there for most of it, coming in at No 3 after opener David Kelly survived only three balls.

Sinclair hit the bad balls all over the oval, untroubled by any of the bowlers and was tough on offspinner Paul Wiseman.

Sinclair's 50 came up off 62 balls and his century off 137.

It was a timely knock following his recent run drought and helped him into form before playing against the Australians for New Zealand at Christchurch tomorrow.

Otago took only 43 overs to match Central's 165.

- NZPA