Cricket: Crazy cricket gets crazier

By CHRIS RATTUE

For those who thought Cricket Max had taken the game to its craziest point, think again.

There was proof at Eden Park yesterday that you don't need to rewrite the rules of the game while seemingly dealing with the effects of hallucinogenic substances to turn the sport on its head.

The day started with Central Districts looking as though they had squeezed the life out of Auckland in just a couple of overs of their seventh-round Shell trophy clash.

It ended with the madness of contrived cricket, where part-time bowlers do their best to help the averages of fulltime batsmen.

The result: if Central Districts declare first thing this morning, Auckland will need 366 for victory from about 100 overs.

The day began with Central declaring on 397 for six wickets. Auckland's response was to put on a lemming act, much to the delight of new ball swing bowler Andrew Schwass.

The 26-year-old Schwass, of Dunedin origins but now in Nelson, played a trophy match for Central against Wellington a few years ago where he had a one for 80-odd return, but has only just returned to the side.

He helped to destroy Auckland and Otago's batting as Central made their run to win the Shell Cup, and then took seven for 97 against Northern in the last round of the trophy.

But that was nothing compared to his early efforts at Eden Park yesterday. In the innings' second over, he dismissed John Aiken, Blair Pocock (first balls) and Tim McIntosh.

And after having Dion Nash caught behind he finished his first spell of seven overs with the extraordinary figures of four for five.

At the other end Brent Hefford bowled five maidens in his first six overs as Auckland limped along to apparent disaster. It took them 15 overs to reach 15, and then another couple to find the boundary as they struggled to 120 for eight.

Yet this batting torment was remarkably reversed, thanks to wicketkeeper Reece Young, who is in the side only because Adam Parore and Lou Vincent are in the Black Caps. Young, who in 10 matches had just 62 runs, came up with his debut century, in a stylish innings which included some fine cut shots.

His unlikely partner in this batting comeback was Chris Drum, although the new ball bowler has shown some glimpses of promise with the bat this season. Their unbroken 104-run partnership ended when Auckland declared 173 behind Central.

Young notched his century by crashing a Schwass delivery over mid wicket, as the bowler's figures "faltered" to five for 53.

"This game is crazy," said Schwass. "I just wanted to keep level headed when the wickets were coming early on."

Auckland seemed a bit over-generous in the run-feeding department, as Central raced to 192 for one from just 28 overs.