Cricket: Franklin holds the key for Wellington

Wellington will hope James Franklin's uncanny State Championship cricket batting form continues tomorrow as they chase a hefty first innings tally against Central Districts.

After the first day at Napier's McLean Park today, Wellington reached 222 for five, with Franklin unbeaten on a patient 54 and Chris Nevin 36.

They rescued their team from a perilous position at 131 for five before bad light ended play early at 5pm.

Franklin has now scored 502 runs in this year's championship and, having been dismissed just three times, boasts a remarkable average of 167.3.

The left-handed allrounder has been called into the New Zealand test squad to face India from next week and showed that at least the batting element of his game remains in good nick.

He became the second half-centurion of the innings after Neal Parlane reached 59 before being bowled by Central captain Mathew Sinclair.

It was a rare and successful visit to the bowling crease for Sinclair, with the competition's leading runscorer taking two for 10 from 16 exceptionally tight overs of right-arm medium pace.

Earlier, Wellington skipper Matthew Bell won the toss and elected to bat.

He raced to 25 and fellow-opener Josh Brodie reached 23 but both failed to push on.

- NZPA