Cricket: Tailenders give ND unexpected lead

A batting lesson from two tailenders transformed the complexion of the cricket match between Northern Districts and Auckland in Hamilton yesterday.

The home team's No's 10 and 11, Bruce Martin and Graham Aldridge, put on 80 for the last wicket in a Shell Trophy match which seemed certain at lunch to be over in three of the four allotted days.

The duo gave Northern an unexpected first-innings lead of 32 and two valuable competition points.

At stumps on the second day, Auckland had reached 74 for two, with Richard King unbeaten on 33 and nightwatchman Mark Haslam not out three.

Skipper Blair Pocock was dismissed shortly before stumps for 32, one of two wickets for former New Zealand swing bowler Simon Doull, after putting on 70 for the second wicket with King.

After being dismissed for 146 on day one, Auckland took the upper hand in the first session yesterday when they ripped through the Northern middle order.

Former Northern left-armer Richard Morgan was the chief destroyer, capturing five for 44 off 23 overs as the home side lost four wickets in the space of five runs after resuming at 26 for three.

A swift cameo of 27 from Doull, featuring three fours and a six, got his side close to 100, but when the ninth wicket fell at 98, it appeared Auckland would have a sizeable first-innings lead in a low-scoring match.

But Martin (51), who was called up as a left-arm spinner for New Zealand against Australia in the third test last season before being omitted from the playing X1, had other ideas and found a reliable ally in Aldridge (21 not out).

In Wanganui, a day of swinging fortunes ended in favour of Central Districts against Otago.

A century by English import Ben Smith and two late Otago wickets by Michael Mason were the factors which gave Central second-day honours.

Smith's 124, compiled predominantly in two partnerships, was the key to Central's 280 in reply to Otago's 175.

He and David Kelly (70) put on 117 in a second-wicket partnership which lasted 144 minutes.

Mark Douglas and Smith then compiled 128 in 180 minutes, by which stage Otago coach Denis Aberhart admitted he could see a deficit of 200-plus looming for his team.

Then Central collapsed, losing their last eight wickets for 27 runs.

The main destroyer was David Sewell, with six for 70. At stumps, Otago trailed by 95 runs with eight second-innings wickets remaining.

In Wellington, the home side and Canterbury drew their rain-ruined match.

After two days without play, there was a flurry of activity early yesterday before Canterbury were left a minimum of 96 overs to score 332 for victory.

Wellington batted a further four overs before declaring their first innings at 331 for four. Canterbury then forfeited their first innings to give Wellington first innings points, and Wellington forfeited their second to set up the chase.

When play ended Canterbury were 267 for five, still 65 runs short of victory.

NZPA