Cricket: Enigma Bailey grabs winning century

By Terry Maddaford

HAMILTON - Mark Bailey, often regarded by those who know - including the New Zealand selectors - as one of the biggest enigmas in New Zealand cricket got it all right yesterday to score a Shell Trophy match-winning century for Northern Districts over Wellington.

Set 321 to win in 95 overs, Northern got home by three wickets and with 5.2 overs to spare with Bailey's 128 the difference between the teams.

Northern now head to Taupo's Owen Delany Park for what has become an early top-of-the-table clash with Otago tomorrow.

For their part in an absorbing battle at WestpacTrust Park, the Jason Wells-led Wellington picked up two richly-deserved first-innings points after their massive 608 for nine declared.

"It was a good game played in the right spirit," said Wells. "In the end Bailey was clearly the difference between us taking maximum points or just two for the
first innings. He batted as well as I have seen him bat.

"It was a good wicket - one on which the bowlers had to work for their wickets and the batsmen had to be patient."

Wells was impressed by his legspinner, Lance Dry, who, promoted to play after Matthew Bell had been whisked away to Dunedin for international duty, took four for 90 from 24 overs in his second first-class game - his first since 1994.

His bowling was a bit of a mixture, with some short deliveries and others which commanded the batsmen's full attention in an intriguing battle.

The early morning honours were with Scott Styris, who went from his overnight 97 to 100 for his maiden first-class century - a healthy increase on his previous best of 56. His afternoon first-ball duck brought him smartly back to earth.

For Bailey it was his seventh century and fourth on his home ground. He needed 198 minutes to reach 100 and eventually batted for 253 minutes, hitting 13 boundaries and three sixes along the way. Key partnerships with Grant Bradburn and Matt Hart edged ND closer and closer.
Captain Robbie Hart and Joseph Yovich completed the task.

"It was really pleasing to get the runs," said Bailey after his chanceless knock. "It has been a bit of a struggle this season. It was nice to contribute to a win like this. The key was being patient and waiting to hit away the short balls.

"It was hard work but probably made a little easier as the Wellington players spent two days in the field."

Robbie Hart paid tribute to the manner in which Wells and his team entered into the spirit of the game, declaring at 35 for one in their second innings.

"It was a big ask to score 320 in a day," said Hart. "But it was a class innings from Mark Bailey which made the difference. It is great to get off to a winning start but now we have to do it again."