Cricket: Parlane dominates

There might have been only a handful of people in the vast stands to witness it, but Michael Parlane's eighth first-class century yesterday was no less significant.

The 32-year-old Wellington No 3 guided his side to a healthy position at the end of the first day of their State Championship match against league leaders Auckland at Eden Park, ending the day unbeaten on 181 in his side's total of 361 for seven.

It's been something of a difficult season to date for the right-handed batsman and he was included in the side only because captain Stephen Fleming was on international duty. In his four innings for Wellington before yesterday he had averaged only 18.25, so the clenched fists and raised arms when he drove Aaron Barnes to the cover boundary to bring up his tonne revealed how much this innings meant to Parlane.

"It's been a long, long time coming," a visibly jaded but satisfied Parlane said. "It proved I can still play at this level because it's been a few years since I scored a first-class hundred - I can't remember the last one."

Parlane is now in sight of his highest first-class score, the 190 he notched up for the Academy against Bangladesh in 1997/98.

He strode to the crease with his side at 19 for one and watched as Wellington stumbled to 133 for five before he found able support in young allrounder Jesse Ryder.

The pair put on 120 for the sixth wicket and they took toll of anything wide or full dished up by a largely ineffective Auckland attack. Ryder was eventually trapped in front by part-time medium pacer Lou Vincent for 66.

Parlane's hundred, while taking more than four hours, contained 20 fours and he continued to pepper the boundary as his scoring rate accelerated.

Auckland's cause wasn't helped by the absence for most of the afternoon of Blacks Caps hopeful Tama Canning, who left the field with a side strain.

They are by no means out of the game, but they will need to hope they can wrap up the Wellington innings quickly this morning and then show the same application and determination as Parlane.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY