Cricket: Southern rivals share the spoils

Allrounder Warren McSkimming made an emphatic return to the first-class arena for Otago at Carisbrook yesterday.

McSkimming, who missed last season because of a back injury, scored a career-best 47 not out and claimed two wickets for 10 as Otago finished the first day of their match against Canterbury on equal terms.

Otago were dismissed for 206 after they lost the toss, but struck back to have Canterbury 105 for four at stumps.

Paul Wiseman was the nightwatchman, saving Chris Cairns for today.

McSkimming, who came to the crease with Otago struggling at 99 for five, batted well in tandem with Brendon McCullum, who top-scored with 53, and then steered the total past 200 as the lower order succumbed.

He was patient, particularly strong on the drive, and batted for 123 minutes.

After their modest score, Otago fought their way back into the match after Shayne O'Connor struck with his fifth ball, trapping Canterbury captain Gary Stead leg-before for two.

James McMillan produced a pearler to take the prize wicket of his cousin, international batsman Craig McMillan, and then it was the turn of McSkimming.

Nathan Astle, who had taken three for 34 with the ball, was in full cry in racing to 42 off 35 balls, hooking O'Connor into the stand at mid-wicket for six and peppering the boundaries with exquisitely timed drives.

But he drove at McSkimming's first ball and Nathan Morland held the catch in the gully to terminate what looked like a dangerous innings in the making.

Four overs later, Chris Harris pushed out at McSkimming and Mohammad Wasim held the catch low down at second slip.

Michael Papps was unbeaten on 33 off 85 balls at the close.

Earlier, most of the Otago batsmen were out to self-inflicted wounds and the only substantial partnership was that of 64 in 71 minutes between McCullum and McSkimming for the sixth wicket.

Shane Bond worked up genuine speed in his opening spell and he soon dismissed Wasim, who played on to a ball that hurried through on him.

Canterbury's bowling resources were such that Harris and off-spinner Wiseman were not even called on.

- NZPA