Cricket: Walker and Davis set record

A tenacious fightback by Auckland's lower-order batsmen left their match against Central Districts evenly poised at the end of the second day in Blenheim yesterday.

Resuming on 217 for eight, Auckland skipper Brooke Walker and Bradley Nielson dug in on a slow and unresponsive pitch against a bowling attack which lacked venom, with the exception of left-armer Lance Hamilton.

Nielson and Walker added 34 for the ninth wicket before Mathew Sinclair brilliantly ran out Nielson for 15.

Tailender Heath Davis then showed his prowess with the bat, mixing cautious defence with several well-struck attacking shots through the off side.

At the other end, Walker showed great patience and the ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities, driving well between mid-off and mid-on.

He and Davis produced a record 10th-wicket partnership for Auckland against Central Districts which realised 76 runs before Davis finally departed for 29.

With Walker unbeaten on 67, Auckland posted a respectable 328 after being in the doldrums at 35 for four at one stage on Tuesday.

Central Districts captain Craig Spearman began his side's response in forthright fashion, striking several boundaries until Nielson induced a false shot outside the off stump and Spearman edged the ball to wicketkeeper Reece Young for 31.

Mathew Sinclair and Peter Ingram then batted sedately through to 86 for one when stumps were drawn.

A draw already looks the likely result on a slow, flat pitch which has so far yielded 414 runs from 201 overs, including 80 maidens.

- NZPA