Cricket: Otago happy to finish with a draw

Brendon McCullum guided Otago to an honourable draw on the final day of their match against Central Districts in Wanganui yesterday.

Set an improbable target of 306 for an outright win in the opening State Championship clash, Otago were never going to stake a challenge and were content to end the match on 202 for four.

After Central declared their second innings at 234 for three, an addition of 102 runs on their overnight position, Otago were 65 for two when McCullum joined Pakistani import Mohammad Wasim at the crease.

They added 30 before opener Wasim departed for a fighting 49. But wicketkeeper McCullum could not be budged as he raced to 78 not out from just 68 deliveries in a bristling knock against some ineffective Central spin bowling.

Central had earlier wasted little time in advancing from their overnight 132 for two.

Mathew Sinclair added just six before being dismissed for 79, then captain Jacob Oram and Glen Sulzberger combined for a fine unbroken stand of 73.

Oram's share was a robust, unbeaten 52, from just 36 balls, while Sulzberger was 62 not out when the declaration came.

Otago coach Glenn Turner said his side never contemplated chasing the runs required for victory.

He said a target of about 260 might have enticed a decent attempt from his batsmen.

Recent poor weather in Otago had meant his side were under-prepared and had to treat this game as their "practice" match.

"Early season, I don't think we ever had much of a show," Turner said of the target left his team.

"It [the target] was the highest score of the game, under pressure of runs per over. Maybe 260 might have been realistic.

"I just wished we had been better prepared, and at this point we haven't done the work. Our batsmen were largely struggling to find their way."

- NZPA