Cricket: Rise up the order pays dividends

Young allrounder James Franklin is in sight of his maiden first-class century after grinding Wellington into a strong position against Otago at the Basin Reserve yesterday.

Franklin vindicated his promotion to No 5 with his equal-highest score of 73, and Wellington will begin the final day of the State Championship match today at 197 for four, a lead of 238.

Wellington are likely to set Otago a chase of about 300 in 85 overs, but neither side will find victory easy to come by on a pitch playing low but showing no signs of crumbling.

Wellington's pursuit of rapid runs this morning will complicate Franklin's personal situation, but whatever the outcome the towering left-hander's batting is looking more assured every time he strides to the crease.

Coach Vaughn Johnson was full of admiration for Franklin and Richard Jones, who made 64.

The pair rescued the side from 30 for three shortly after lunch after a three-wicket burst from improving left-armer Shayne O'Connor.

"Jimmy [Franklin] was in good form with the bat during the one-dayers and he splits up all the right-handers, so we felt he was worthy of a crack up the order," Johnson said.

"At the end of the day the team will always come first, but it would be great for Jimmy's game if he got his first ton here.

"It was one of those days when we were in a mess early on, but Jones and Franklin spent time at the crease and now we are looking okay."

Franklin picked up his early runs by tucking the balls into gaps, but after crawling to his half-century in 191 minutes and 150 balls, he became more innovative.

Jones and Franklin put on 89 for the fourth wicket, but just as Jones threatened to become the 34th New Zealand player to score a century in each innings, he was bowled, swinging across the line at offspinner Nathan Morland.

Otago were on a standing eight count shortly after tea when young paceman James McMillan felt a twinge in his Achilles tendon. They were already without Robbie Lawson (knee), Mohammad Wasim (finger) and 12th man Jeff Wilson, who has a calf strain that will rule him out of the next match against Northern Districts.

O'Connor was once again the pick of Otago's attack and his three for 27 from 17 oversyesterday gives him a match haul of seven wickets on an unresponsive pitch.

Pitches without pace and carry are deflating for quick bowlers, but O'Connor and Wellington's Andrew Penn have gone about their work impressively.

- NZPA