Cricket: Maiden century puts Otago ahead

A maiden first-class century by Otago allrounder Greg Todd and the prospect of another by Jordan Sheed have boosted Otago in the State Championship cricket match against Canterbury.

Otago ended the second day of the four-day fixture at University Oval in Dunedin yesterday on 145 for five in their second innings, an overall lead of 255.

Their first innings of 308 on Saturday owed much to an outstanding innings of 123 not out by Todd. Sheed will resume today on 77.

Allrounder Todd comfortably surpassed his previous best first-class score of 61 as he struck two sixes and 18 fours off 157 balls.

He combined in a 110-run ninth-wicket partnership with Warren McSkimming, who broke his hand after being struck by Chris Martin with the new ball.

Todd was understandably pleased to achieve his maiden first-class century.

"It is what I have always dreamed of, getting 100 in first-class cricket, and I've got it. It is a chance to go on now."

Stephen Cunis bowled well for Canterbury to take five for 78 from 26 overs and captain Craig McMillan grabbed three for 37.

But Canterbury's response never rose to any heights as they were dismissed for 198 after resuming on eight for one.

Jeff Wilson was the first to strike yesterday when he had Andrew Ellis caught at second slip for seven in his third over.

Despite later also accounting for international Nathan Astle for 53, Wilson would not have impressed a watching New Zealand selector Sir Richard Hadlee by spraying the ball on both sides of the stumps.

Fellow opening bowler James McMillan also struggled, losing his run-up several times and bowling from behind the stumps twice.

Bradley Scott was the best of the bowlers, collecting four for 47 as only Astle and Craig McMillan, who scored 51, made an impression.

Astle and McMillan put on a classy 87 for the fifth wicket before Astle departed, courtesy of a stunning catch by Sheed, who dived full length to his right.

Astle's departure saw Canterbury's resistance fold as they lost their last six wickets for just 39 runs.

Otago made a poor start in their second innings, losing captain Craig Cumming for one, leg before wicket to Stephen Cunis.

Chris Gaffaney and Sheed put on 53 in 36 minutes before Gaffaney succumbed on 32, leg before wicket.

- NZPA