Cricket: McIntosh's maiden century a big one

Auckland opening batsman Tim McIntosh kept his side afloat with his maiden first-class cricket century against Canterbury in Christchurch yesterday.

In his seventh first-class match, McIntosh contributed an unbeaten 172 towards Auckland's 374 for six in reply to Canterbury's first innings of 477.

He opened the batting at 3.40 pm on Thursday and continued throughout the third day yesterday, and has so far spent 524 minutes at the crease, facing 439 balls and hitting 20 fours and one six.

McIntosh, aged 21, came of age against a committed Canterbury bowling attack.

With captain and fellow opener Blair Pocock injured, McIntosh had additional responsibility heaped on him as Auckland slumped to 45 for three on Thursday before resuming on 112 for three yesterday.

He and Lou Vincent scored 206 runs in just over 4 1/2 hours to break Auckland's oldest partnership record. The former fourth-wicket best against Canterbury was 177 by L.G. Hemus and A.E. Relf at Christchurch in 1907-08.

McIntosh made a promising debut two years ago, and registered his first Shell Trophy half-century against Wellington last season before dropping out of the side because of illness. This match is only his seventh at first-class level.

"This is an innings of huge maturity and mental toughness," Auckland coach Tony Sail said. "Any hundred is a good hundred, but Tim has had to work very hard for this one."

McIntosh resumed on 54 yesterday morning and reached his century after 267 minutes and 236 balls, with 12 fours, then went on to ensure his first ton was a big one.

He kept his composure, despite taking several heavy blows on the helmet and body from Warren Wisneski and Shane Bond, who spearheaded a bowling attack, which in the view of Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald, did nothing wrong.

McIntosh and Vincent did everything right until Wisneski eventually had Vincent caught at gully for 78.

"We've had faith in Lou for a long time, but it was coming to the time when he had to start producing," Sail said.

"He's a natural strokeplayer but was very controlled today. I think he has learned a lot about the game since last season.

"Sometimes, you have to fall off the bike before you learn to stay on it," Sail said of Vincent's return of 28 runs from six innings in the 1999-2000 trophy season.

Allrounder Tama Canning helped McIntosh to add another 64 runs.

Pocock, using a runner at No 8 and batting in obvious discomfort, shared in an unbroken 48-run stand through to stumps to keep the battle for first-innings points alive.

Wisneski laboured long and hard for his analysis of five for 115 and deserved a greater reward.

- NZPA