OTAGO FLAYED
OTAGO’S bowling unit copped a battering yesterday.
Round six of the Plunket Shield has proved to be a bonanza for the batsmen so far.
Four centuries were scored and not too many wickets taken on the opening day of all three games.
It certainly was not much fun for the Otago attack in Napier. Central Districts amassed 357 for one by stumps.
George Worker and Greg Hay rattled on centuries, while Will Young is on 92 and closing in on a ton as well.
Worker whacked 17 fours and a six in his knock of 110. It was his eighth firstclass century and he combined with Hay in a Central Districts record firstwicket partnership against Otago.
The pair put on 202, easily shading the previous mark of 137 posted by Tony Blain and Ron Hart in 198485.
While Worker played some lovely drives and slashed away anything wide, Hay was the star.
The 34yearold righthander amassed 226 the last time he faced the Otago attack.
That was on the rolled mud at Alexandra’s Molyneux Park. He got much more value for his shots at McLean Park. Anything on his pads was clipped to the rope and width outside off got the treatment as well.
He also swivelled into a couple of delightful pull shots on the way to his 13th firstclass ton.
He is undefeated on 145 and wellplaced to mete out more pain today.
Wrist spinner Michael Rippon proved the most expensive of the visiting side.
His 21 overs cost 101 runs and he was unable to deliver any wickets — just the one maiden as well, so not a great day for the leftarmer.
The skipper Jacob Duffy went for more than four an over. Worker got the better of him early on.
Otago has not bowled too badly this season. It has been the batting department which has struggled.
The Volts have lost six consecutive firstclass games and already have plenty of work ahead to avoid stretching the streak to seven.
In Whangarei, Martin Guptill stroked 120 from 143 balls to help Auckland reach 301 for five against Northern Districts.
Sean Solia chipped in with a patient knock of 75, while Scott Kuggeleijn was the best of the bowlers with two for 51.
Canterbury captain Cole McConchie scored his third firstclass hundred to steer his side to 314 for six against Wellington at Hagley Oval.
He is 152 not out — 102 of those runs have been in boundaries. Hamish Bennett nabbed four for 57.