Cricket: Odds stacked against Otago

Otago need to produce their best batting display this season to deny Wellington outright victory today in their Shell Trophy match at Carisbrook.

The home team were teetering at 31 for two in their second innings, still 131 runs short of making Wellington bat again, when rain ended play at 4.22 pm on the second day of the four-day match yesterday.

Otago's trophy innings so far this season have yielded totals of just 175, 139 and 135.

Much will be expected of international opener Matt Horne when he resumes today on 20.

Survival, not victory, was on Otago's mind yesterday after they conceded a first-innings lead of 162 when Wellington progressed from their overnight 132 for four to 297.

Captain Matthew Bell resumed on 70, but was out to the first ball of the day.

Nathan McCullum and Chris Nevin then struck a breezy 29, but Wellington's lead seemed likely to be moderate when the eighth wicket fell at 179.

But nightwatchman Jeetan Patel batted for four hours and faced 169 balls to score an unbeaten 58 as 118 runs were added for the last two wickets.

He and Carl Bulfin added 61 in 59 minutes for the ninth wicket, with Bulfin scoring 47 off as many balls.

Newcomer Iain O'Brien looked an accomplished No 11 in making 18 in a last-wicket stand of 57 in 77 minutes.

- NZPA