Cricket: 'Nelson's number' proves lucky for Otago

Superstitious English cricket umpire David Shepherd nervously hops on one leg at "Nelson's number", 111.

But yesterday Otago were jumping for joy as it proved a lucky number in their 33-run Shell Cup win over Wellington at Molyneux Park, Alexandra.

Wellington, initially in trouble at 44 for three, had consolidated with a fourth-wicket stand of 67, off 97 balls, between Roger Twose and Grant Donaldson and the game was in the balance.

Then "Nelson" struck - three wickets fell in the space of seven balls at 111.

Twose, who had looked in command in scoring 44 off 56 balls, launched into a big drive at Stephen Mather and had his off-stump bent back.

Donaldson, an admirable foil, was adjudged lbw, trying to sweep off-spinner Simon Forde and, two balls later, the dangerous Richard Petrie struck a full toss from Forde straight to Mather at wide mid-on.

That swung momentum back to the hosts although Carl Bulfin weighed in with two lusty sixes and Tim Boyer and Paul Hitchcock added 44 competently before Hitchcock was run out by captain Robbie Lawson with a direct side-on throw from mid on.

All-rounder Warren McSkim-ming, aged 20, claimed his first Shell Cup wicket when Bulfin holed out to Forde at long off and he also had the satisfaction of ending the match when he had Boyer caught behind.

Captain Chris Nevin batted brightly at the start of the Wellington innings before McSkimming caught him neatly, low down, at backward square, but it was Twose who gave Wellington their first genuine impetus.

His second scoring shot was an on-driven six off paceman Neil Rushton; he hit four cracking boundaries and he had almost resurrected Wellington's innings before his surprise dismissal.

Otago bowled eight maidens, an indication of the stop-start nature of the Wellington innings, and Mather's lively medium pace was particularly effective against his former team-mates.

Aaron Gale was tidy and economical, Rushton showed the ability to beat the bat and Forde had tidy figures before Bulfin put a dent in them with some big heaves.

Otago batted solidly but could never entirely break the shackles during their innings of 233 for nine, after Wellington had sent them into bat on a pitch with a green tinge. Extraordinarily, extras (42) top-scored for Otago and, in the final analysis, they provided a welcome bonus and buffer.

Six batsmen reached 20 but Lawson's hard-fought 40 off 80 balls - he was seventh out when he played on - was the highest score. - NZPA