Cricket: Sinclair hits third century as Aucklanders struggle

Mathew Sinclair hit 101 to rescue Central Districts from a difficult start against Auckland in the opening day of their four-day State Championship game at Palmerston North's Fitzherbert Park yesterday.

Sinclair and Black Caps allrounder Jacob Oram (53) put on 154 for the fourth wicket after they had been put into bat and stumbled.

Openers Jarrod Englefield and Geoff Barnett went for one run each before Black Caps rookie Ross Taylor was taken for four.

But Central's experienced pair saw them push on successfully until the intervention of Tim Lythe, who removed Oram.

Part-time bowler Lou Vincent eventually removed his erstwhile Black Caps colleague Sinclair and the wicket inspired another home team collapse.

Central lost their last four wickets for 19 runs to end on 245 all out. Auckland lost their first three wickets for 16 runs.

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Wellington reached 279 for the loss of seven wickets on the back of Michael Parlane's 154 on the first day of their match against Northern Districts in Hamilton.

Parlane hit 26 fours and two sixes off the 227 balls he faced in 303 minutes at Westpac Park, providing the major resistance to ensuring that Wellington reached a respectable score. Play ended slightly earlier than scheduled as darkness fell.

Opener Matthew Bell scored 42 and Grant Elliott 23 but Neal Parlane and Sam Fairley went without scoring. Mark Orchard took four wickets for 39 from 19 overs, which included nine maidens. Graeme Aldrige took two for 75.

Michael Parlane entered at first fall (18) when Luke Woodcock had him caught.

Parlane and Bell took the scores to 81 before Aldrige struck again to remove Bell.

Jessie Ryder and Parlane had another meaningful partnership (50) before Orchard took the first of his four wickets. He removed Ryder (17), Neal Parlane, Fairley and Elliott (23).

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Shaun Haig has wasted little time announcing his arrival on the domestic first-class scene.

The rookie Otago batsman lifted his side to a workmanlike 301 for five in their first innings on the opening day against Canterbury in Queenstown.

Haig, 23, and making just his second first-class appearance, looked destined to score his maiden first-class century before nerves got the better of him.

He had progressed to 95 in 3 1/2 hours before being undone by a straight delivery from medium-fast bowler Brandon Hiini.

Haig spent nine overs, or close to 30 minutes, scratching about after entering the 90s.

- NZPA