Cricket: Wellington pile on runs against CD

NEW PLYMOUTH - Wellington held a slight advantage at the end of the second day of their Shell Trophy cricket match against Central Districts at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth yesterday.

Resuming their first innings on 282 for five, Wellington progressed through to a healthy 438 thanks to solid contributions from all their lower-order batsmen.

Central Districts were 153 for three in reply at stumps, leaving the match fairly evenly poised but it could have been so much better for the home side.

Their innings got off to an excellent start, with openers Craig Spearman and David Kelly posting a century stand before Spearman was out for 61 in an innings which cannot have done his chances of selection for the first test against Australia in Auckland starting on Saturday any harm with national selector Rick Pickard watching.

But another test candidate, Mathew Sinclair continued his poor recent form with a second-ball duck, stumped by Chris Nevin from the offspin of teenager Jeetan Patel.

Kelly continued to look solid at the other end and added a half-century partnership with Glen Sulzberger before mis-hitting a shot three balls from the close of play to give Patel an easy caught-and-bowled dismissal.

Patel was the pick of the Wellington bowlers, taking three for 38 from 14.3 overs.

Earlier it was Wellington allrounder Richard Petrie who teased the Central Districts bowlers with some lusty hitting in an innings of 72.

Wellington lost two quick wickets, but Petrie blasted the home team's bowlers, hitting nine fours and two sixes in an entertaining innings.

Mark Jefferson chipped in with 23, Robert Kennedy made 31 and Patel scored 18 not out as the Wellington tail wagged to great profit.

- NZPA