Cricket: Nevin follows runs with catches

Should Wellington not take maximum points from their Shell Trophy cricket game against Otago at the Basin Reserve, it will be through no fault of Chris Nevin.

It was the livewire wicketkeeper who got Wellington's first innings back on track during the first day with a superb knock of 99, and yesterday Nevin took five catches, including a vital one from Chris Gaffaney off the bowling of Matthew Walker.

Gaffaney, who made 62, was the backbone of Otago's first innings of 192 in reply to Wellington's 272, and had he not been snared by Nevin's trusty gloves Wellington may have missed out on first innings points.

"Gaffaney's was the important wicket," Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson said.

"He had put together a nice little stand [69 with Craig Pryor for the sixth wicket] and had he stayed there was a possibility of another two or three little stands that could have taken them past our total."

Play started 30 minutes late because of water getting through the covers but Gaffaney made sure the follow on target would be passed, after Otago began the day at a perilous 42 for three. There were times during the day when Wellington appeared poised to take a stranglehold on the game but it never eventuated.

For a brief period when Wellington were 63 for three, Otago seemed to be getting the upper hand. Then opener Richard Jones and Stephen Mather came together and the pair saw Wellington safely through to stumps at 100 for three, a lead of 180 with seven wickets in hand.

Undoubtedly Wellington hold the upper hand going into the third day but Johnson is taking nothing for granted.

"It is important that we consolidate tomorrow morning, bat through to lunch and then assess where we are at," he said. "We need a good total to defend because Otago have a dangerous top five that includes two test openers and compares with any top order in the competition."

Besides Nevin's excellent wicketkeeping, Wellington had cause to thank Andrew Penn, who took four for 66 from 24 overs with pace and accuracy he did not show with the Black Caps against Sri Lanka.

Johnson praised Penn's efforts, saying the bowler had taken a senior role in the Wellington side and was helping young bowlers Mark Gillespie and Iain O'Brien, who are still learning.

- NZPA