Cricket: Wellington batsmen defy the damp weather

Wellington made the most of their opportunities during an on-again, off-again second day of their match against Northern Districts in Taupo yesterday.

They ended the day on 129 for two after 53 overs in their first innings, with opener Richard Jones scoring a fine half-century and No 3 Neal Parlane ending one short of his when play ended at 7pm.

After Thursday's opening day was washed out, play began an hour late yesterday because of a wet ground.

But the opening session was short-lived and the players left the field after just 13.2 overs shortly before 12.30pm.

An early lunch was taken, but the damp and humid conditions kept the players off the field until 1.40pm.

Play resumed with Wellington on 29 for one, captain Matthew Bell having being dismissed in the opening session when hitting a return catch back to Joseph Yovich.

After the break, a further 9.4 overs saw Jones and Parlane take the Wellington total through to 46 for one before the players again left the field and the wet conditions kept them off the park for a further three hours.

But Jones and Parlane maintained their composure on the resumption at 5.15pm, with the pair adding 86 runs for a second-wicket partnership.

Jones raised his half-century and went on to score 56 from 141 deliveries. Parlane continued through to stumps and his unbeaten 49 against his former province featured some powerful shots, including seven fours and a six.

* Central Districts gained a first-innings lead of 28 over Canterbury in Timaru. The visitors scored 273 in reply to Canterbury's 245 for nine declared.

At stumps, Canterbury were 15 for two in their second innings.

Opener Jamie How top-scored for Central with 73.

* It was a grim picture at North Harbour stadium yesterday, with the second day of Auckland's match against Otago washed out.

On a shortened opening day, Auckland had reached 128 for four, with opener Tim McIntosh unbeaten on 78.

- NZPA