Cricket: Young in masterful display

By Chris Rattue and NZPA

What a difference a few days can make. Bryan Young's debut for Auckland against Wellington on Monday turned into a disaster. Out first ball, and then he ran out Auckland's top scorer Aaron Barnes.

But against Central Districts on the Eden Park outer oval yesterday, the scene of his unfortunate debut, the former international charged into the record books as he led his new province to a rare 10-wicket win.

To say this win came in the nick of time would be an understatement. After last year's dismal performances, Auckland had opened with a poor 111-run loss against Wellington.

The combination of a solid Auckland bowling effort and Young's masterful innings of 94 yesterday may have set up a brighter future, although it will pay to wait before making rash verdicts.

Young and captain Blair Pocock's partnership of 166 broke Trevor Franklin and Martin Snedden's first-wicket record for Auckland, set in the 1984/85 season against Central in Levin.

Young also holds the first-wicket record for Northern Districts, with Michael Parlane, and his former province who were upset at his departure would have viewed this superb innings with mixed feelings.

It was only the fifth 10-wicket win in New Zealand's domestic one day history and Young needed some early fortune, as Andrew Penn beat his defensive prods. But then the runs flowed.

The handful of Auckland supporters not only had to come to grips with their side actually trouncing the opposition, but also the sight of a strange scoreboard.

Young had scored 15 and the extras were 20 before Pocock managed his first run.

Young then took command. The highlight; three consecutive fours off medium fast bowler Rodney Brown, the first a cracking cover-drive, followed by two well-timed shots through mid-on.

Young hit 19 boundaries, his 94 coming off 119 balls. It was Jekyll and Hyde stuff though. At the other end, Pocock had a running battle with the extras, never seeming in good touch as he scraped his way to 38.

The Auckland win was set up by their bowlers, backed by an improved showing in the field. Barnes had his best one day haul of wickets, taking five, after Central chose to bat in ideal conditions.

Auckland also had to make do without opening bowler Richard Morgan for much of the innings. Morgan, the son of former Wellington all-rounder Harry Morgan, injured his side and could be out of action for up to a month.

He has been replaced by second XI captain Craig Pryor, the son of 1950s/60s Auckland rugby legend Albie Pryor, for the match against Otago tomorrow.

Barnes, who had to pass a fitness test on a hamstring injury yesterday morning, was the man of the match.

Hore lifts Otago

Andrew Hore hit top form as Otago sprinted to a six-wicket win over Wellington in the Shell Cup match at Molyneux Park, Alexandra, yesterday.

The strongly built left-hander scored an unbeaten 52 off just 35 balls as Otago won with 7.1 overs in hand after a tense contest.

Hore, aged 29, who hails from Duntroon, in North Otago, had a previous best score of just 24 in four previous Shell Cup games when he joined Robbie Lawson with the innings in the balance at 132 for four.

Otago needed 80 for victory and, Hore played the perfect innings for the occasion as he took some of the pressure off his captain.

He wrested the initiative from the Wellington bowlers and ended the match spectacularly when he drove left-arm spinner Mark Jefferson for three consecutive fours.

Lawson was unbeaten on 57 from 81 balls, including five fours.
Earlier, Otago did well to restrict Wellington to 211 for nine after it won the toss.

A heated exchange between Lawson and Wellington captain Roger Twose needed the intervention of senior umpire Chris King.

The incident occurred when Lawson, the non-striker, became entangled with bowler Jefferson in trying to avoid the ball. Lawson and Twose exchanged words and gestures before King intervened.