Cricket: Good day for Mr Reliable

It was pretty much business as usual for Wellington medium pace cricketer Matthew Walker yesterday - another 20 odd overs and another four wickets.

The only difference was the company he kept after the bowlers club lost two celebrated members on the opening day of the match against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

As he has been all summer, Walker was Mr Reliable but it meant more yesterday after Andrew Penn and Iain O'Brien were ruled out with foot injuries and James Franklin was below par with a similar type of injury.

Walker took four for 39 from 24 overs to lead the way in dismissing Northern for 223 and Wellington were 26 for none when bad light stopped play at 6.53pm.

On the surface, Walker does not look like he should cause too much havoc around the first-class circuit, but he has now taken 31 wickets.

His pace is only slightly above medium but he bowls a nagging length and hits the seam more often than not.

Walker struck three times in the first over of a new spell, including breaking the promising second wicket stand between Nick Horsley, who made 56, and Hamish Marshall, 23, with his second ball of the day.

In his first over after lunch he had Michael Parlane leg before wicket and then in the first over after drinks in the final session and the first in his fourth spell he had Joseph Yovich edging behind to wicketkeeper Chris Nevin.

"As a batsman I know I always feel vulnerable after a break or when a new bowler comes on so I look to start well with the ball," Walker said. "I was happy with the day. The pitch was a little on the slow side and to get them out for 200 represents a good effort."

Franklin was the next best of the bowlers with three for 59, while replacements Ash Turner and Mark Gillespie shared three wickets between them.

Horley hit nine consecutive fours and was particularly impressive playing through extra cover off the back foot.

His dismissal just before lunch triggered a minor collapse and it was not until Robbie Hart joined Mark Orchard that the innings regained any momentum.

Hart batted attractively for 29 before taking the word of Nevin and walking after some debate over whether a catch had carried to the keeper.

- NZPA