Cricket: Rain threat to Wellington run chase

An honest day's toil has Wellington poised to reap an unexpected Christmas bonus at the Basin Reserve today.

Coach Vaughn Johnson's team require a further 166 runs to beat Otago outright on the final day of their State Championship match after a tradesmanlike effort with bat and ball yesterday saw them wrest the initiative from the visitors.

Luke Woodcock's dismissal from the penultimate ball of the day, when he dragged a wayward Craig Cumming bouncer on to his stumps, took a little of the sheen off Wellington's best day of a still young summer.

But Wellington will have no excuses if they cannot reel off their victory target considering they have eight second-innings wickets and 100 overs on a batter-friendly pitch to play with.

There are concerns over captain Matthew Bell's fitness after a groin strain forced him to hobble to the middle at No 3 instead of opening yesterday.

But the pitch and Otago's bowling line-up look to hold few demons, save perhaps for offspinner Nathan McCullum, who will be heartened by the turn he extracted near the end of the day.

Wellington were staring at a large run chase when they conceded first-innings honours by 36 on Monday. But a lengthy sermon on line and length bowling from Johnson paid dividends yesterday as Wellington restricted Otago to 214 in their second innings.

That left the home side needing 251 for victory from a minimum 127 overs, and by stumps they had progressed through to 85 for two, with Michael Parlane making 42 and Woodcock 31.

Bell will resume today on four providing his injury does not worsen overnight and he is set to be joined by Neal Parlane.

The dodgy weather forecast shapes as the major hurdle between Wellington and an outright victory that will keep the reigning champions in touch with early series leaders Auckland.

"The wicket is not as good as it was on day one or two, but it's still flat enough," Johnson said.

Mark Gillespie (3-58) and Jesse Ryder (3-31) were Wellington's best with the ball yesterday.

Ryder backed up his 72 by claiming the crucial wickets of Cumming for 57 and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins for four within the space of four deliveries.

- NZPA