Resolute batting by Brendon McCullum and accurate bowling by Warren McSkimming were the only redeeming features for Otago as Wellington took control of their Shell Trophy cricket match at Carisbrook yesterday.
After winning the toss, Otago were dismissed for 135. Their batsmen perished to undisciplined strokes on a quick, bouncy pitch.
Wellington
had almost gained a first innings lead by the close of play. Captain Matthew Bell was the guiding hand with an assured, unbeaten 70 in their total of 132 for four.
McCullum, who came into the team only yesterday morning when wicketkeeper Martyn Croy withdrew because of a back strain, top-scored with a career-best 45 as Otago laboured to their meagre total in 55.5 overs after earlier slumping to 36 for five.
Six Otago batsmen were caught behind or in the slips cordon, three were bowled and one trapped leg-before in what coach Denis Aberhart acknowledged was an inadequate display.
"We played balls we should have left alone," he said.
"We wanted to bat into the second day, so it was a major disappointment we were out by tea.
"It was just bad batting, certainly not the pitch. We just had to work hard to get through the first hour, but we were unable to do so."
While the radar of the Wellington bowlers was astray at times - and they conceded too many wides and no balls - they relished the pace in the pitch.
Mark Gillespie was the pick of the visiting bowlers with four for 34 and Iain O'Brien took two cheap wickets in his first-class debut.
Bell and Richard Jones shared an opening stand of 75 in 87 minutes for Wellington before Jones was neatly caught by Nathan McCullum at second slip off McSkimming for 38.
McSkimming claimed three wickets for 12 off eight overs in his second spell as Otago had their best period of the day.
Jason Wells was caught by Andrew Hore at first slip, Roger Twose was bowled swinging across the line, and Karl O'Dowda chimed in by bowling Grant Donaldson, who had laboured 36 balls for two runs.
Bell was there at the end, having struck 11 fours as he punished any wayward bowling.
- NZPA
