Cricket: Unwanted Raval leads way for Auckland

Jeet Raval hasn't had many chances in the Auckland cricket team lately, but the 22-year-old opener led the way as the home team reached 210 for one in reply to Wellington's 477 on the second day of the Plunket Shield game at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.

The 22-year-old lefthander scored a sparkling 97 in an opening stand of 169 with Tim McIntosh before he fell to a stunning catch at short midwicket by Luke Woodcock off leg-spinner Robbie Schaw.

About this time last year, Raval scored 256 on debut and he hit a century against Otago at Colin Maiden in December. But he wasn't required for the shorter forms of the game. His 13 fours, including some sumptuous cover drives, and one six yesterday suggest he could be useful any time.

McIntosh was unbeaten on 85.

Wellington began the day at 278 for four with Stewart Rhodes and Woodcock both on 74. Woodcock was caught behind off Michael Bates three runs short of his century but Rhodes, after a let-off in the 80s, carried on to 124 before he was caught off Gareth Shaw.

Rhodes is a 23-year-old Australian from the Blue Mountains, who scored an unbeaten 142 against Otago at Queenstown in his debut first-class match early in the season.

He had to sit out most of the one-day and Twenty20 games because the Firebirds already had an overseas player in Englishman Owais Shah. He got his chance in the last one-day round and scored 50 against a Canterbury attack including Shane Bond and Chris Martin.

Yesterday he hit 13 fours and a six, completing a 163-run partnership with Woodcock and sharing profitable stands with Chris Nevin, who made a brisk 22, and Jeetan Patel, who brought up his 50 with consecutive sixes and was 71 not out when the innings ended.

Gareth Shaw, in his comeback match after two seasons lost to injury, finished with a five-wicket bag.

In Invercargill, Otago consolidated after losing two early wickets to finish at 102 for three in reply to Central District's 355 all out.

Mathew Sinclair, 18 not out when play resumed, went on to combine with Brad Patton in putting on 186 for the third wicket, Patton's 65 coming off 109 balls while Sinclair's 122 took 149 balls and included 22 fours, and Central went into the break at 265 for four.

At Rangiora, Dean Brownlie crafted an impressive century on his first class debut as Canterbury set Northern Districts an imposing first-innings target of 558 for four declared. Brownlie and Shannan Stewart joined opener Rob Nicol in topping 100.

In reply, ND batted through to stumps without losing a wicket, BJ Watling on 50 and Michael Parlane 65.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NZPA