Cricket: Tricky pitch takes 21

Central Districts snatched the upper hand as wickets tumbled on the opening day of their match against Auckland at Palmerston North yesterday.

At stumps, Auckland were batting in their second innings with one wicket down and still 43 runs behind Central, who posted 173.

The unpredictable Fitzherbert Park pitch had too much variable bounce and it took centre-stage as 21 wickets fell on the first day of what was supposed to be a four-day match.

Auckland capitulated for 71 in 26.1 overs after losing the toss and being put into bat by Central captain Jacob Oram. It was their lowest score against Central in a first-class match.

The top scorers were opener Matt Horne (18) and international Andre Adams (17).

Central rolled Auckland before lunch, but their top order fared no better, as Chris Drum and Gareth Shaw got among them, until the experienced Glen Sulzberger put his head down.

He scored 61 off 137 balls in a stay of more than 2 1/2 hours, an invaluable innings in such difficult conditions.

Sulzberger and wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs batted well to put on 57 for the sixth wickets to steer Central to a first-innings lead.

After Griggs got an inside edge off Drum on to his stumps for 23, Sulzberger and Campbell Furlong added a further 46 for the seventh wicket and then Andrew Schwass smashed 25 off as many balls near the end.

Central lasted 52 overs before being dismissed with a first-innings lead of 102.

Auckland faced 21 overs before stumps and openers Mark Richardson (37 not out) and Horne looked comfortable until Horne was removed by a brilliant leg-side catch from Griggs for 16.

At stumps Auckland, with the pitch having flattened out a little, were 59 for one.

* Wickets also tumbled in the Wellington-Northern clash at the Basin Reserve. Northern were dismissed for 185 and at stumps Wellington were 81 for six. Scott Styris had three wickets for four runs after a fine 87 with the bat.

- NZPA