Cricket: Otago on track for first innings points against Auckland

Otago are well placed at 78-1 in their first innings after dismissing Auckland for 198 in their State Championship match in Dunedin.

With captain Craig Cumming unbeaten on 34 looking set at the crease, the Volts can today attempt to push on to first innings points and a lead that will enable them to press for a rare outright win.

Cumming and Mohammad Wasim were untroubled in adding 73 for the first wicket, as Auckland fronted with an attack based around former international Kerry Walmsley and a quartet of handy, but hardly fearsome, medium-pacers.

Wasim lived dangerously. Twice he edged through slips, but grew in confidence with every ball.

Having reached 33 off 46 balls, he made a fatal error when he attempted to brush Sam Whiteman, on debut for Auckland, off his pads and was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Reece Young.

Cumming was a rock at the other end, meeting each ball with authority.

Auckland managed to get as close as they did to 200 through the efforts of tailenders Young, Brooke Walker and Walmsley, who added 49 for the last two wickets.

The match is behind schedule, with just 91 overs possible over the two opening days, and the onus is now on Otago to make something happen.

* Meanwhile, Wellington and Northern Districts are both making promising noises about manufacturing a meaningful game of cricket despite the opening two days of their State Championship clash being decimated by rain.

Only 58 overs were possible at the Basin Reserve on Saturday with Northern reaching 155-4 and the only action yesterday was the groundstaff checking the placement of covers.

To make matters worse the rain was likely to wipe out at least the first session today, leaving little over a day and a half to achieve a result.

"I still want to be playing for maximum points on the last day so we need to get on the park and knock them over pretty smartly," Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson said. "The odds are against a result but that doesn't stop either side trying."

Both teams are desperate to pick up points with two rounds left before the final.

Wellington are second but anxious to stay on the pace while Northern Districts are languishing at the bottom and eyeing the prospect of taking home two wooden spoons after their frightful one-day campaign.

"Time is an issue but Bob [Northern captain Robbie Hart] is always keen to play cricket," Northern Districts coach Bruce Blair said.

The visitors had one of their better days after deciding to bat with Grant Robinson hitting seven boundaries in his knock of 61.

Robinson arrived at 41 for two and only fell late in the day when trapped in front by offspinner Jeetan Patel.

Seamer Iain O'Brien was the most successful of the Wellington bowlers with two for 48 from 13 overs while Patel returned the economical figures of one for 17 off 15 overs.

In Dunedin, Otago were 78 for one in reply to Auckland's 198.

No play was possible in the Canterbury v Central Districts match in Rangiora.