Cricket: Tedious day as Auckland struggle

Central Districts ended a tedious opening day of their match against Auckland in Blenheim in a comfortable position.

Skipper Craig Spearman's decision to ask Auckland to bat proved the correct one as the batsmen struggled with the slow pace of the Horton Park pitch.

That, some rash shots and some superb catching saw Auckland struggle to stumps at 217 for eight.

The only partnership of note was one of 130 for the sixth wicket between Kyle Mills and the highly- promising Rob Nicol, who top-scored with 87.

They applied themselves solidly in defence, but were quick to cash in on scoring opportunities until the partnership ended in unusual circumstances.

Nicol played a straight drive which bowler Brent Hefford finger-tipped on to the stumps, leaving Mills stranded for a well-compiled 55.

Their stand was broken with the total on 165 after they had started a rescue mission when Auckland had slumped to 35 for four.

The Central Districts bowlers stuck to their task and once they had shifted Mills, they made further inroads.

The 19-year-old Nicol finally went cutting a ball to Greg Loveridge, who took his second catch.

Spearman led his team's outstanding fielding effort by example, pulling off two catches at first slip from Hefford's bowling.

Hefford improved as his workload increased and he finished with three for 28 from 23 overs, while Andrew Schwass toiled away to take two for 38 from 20 overs.

Auckland, the leaders of the State Championship, crawled through the opening 140-minute session scoring just 45 for four from 33 overs.

- NZPA