Cricket: Match better suited to dark

By CHRIS RATTUE

The directors of Auckland cricket may have called lights, but it did not lead to much action. Auckland opened their Shell Cup campaign with a four-wicket win over Wellington at Eden Park in a match which snail-paced its way through the afternoon and night.

It was the first Shell Cup game played under lights at Eden Park and that is all it could possibly be remembered for.

Wellington, who were missing the unavailable Roger Twose, set the tone on a pitch which was probably doing too much to be a good one-day wicket, crawling to 111 before being put out of their misery.

Apart from Grant Donaldson's 39 from 56 balls, it was painful progress.

In the context of this game it was a masterpiece but Donaldson was lucky to get past one, when wicketkeeper Lou Vincent dropped him from Richard Morgan's bowling.

Jason Wells appeared to be trying to anchor the innings, but only succeeded in sinking the thing with 29 runs from 81 balls - an innings full of fine defensive strokes.

Auckland might have considered dropping any catches Wells offered, so much did he help their cause.

In the end, he fended off a Kyle Mills delivery to Llorne Howell at first slip.

Around Wells and Donaldson's extended stays, Wellington self-destructed against accurate bowling and strong outfielding, although Vincent and Howell put down three chances behind the stumps.

Auckland started as if to show up Wellington's batting as inept, with Aaron Barnes striking 39 from 52 balls.

Just as the crowd of 500 were anticipating an early finish, the batting wobbles returned.

Richard Petrie, who is never afraid to offer advice, engaged umpire Billy Bowden in a debate after having an lbw decision against Stephen Lynch turned down, then trapped Lynch with the next ball.

But Auckland prevailed against Wellington's respected bowling attack. Brooke Walker fell to an awful hook shot, before Blair Pocock and Mills scraped the final runs.