Taylor makes measured return with 52 in Napier
AXED BLACK Caps skipper Ross Taylor scored a fifty for Central Districts, as his return to first-class cricket continued against Canterbury in Napier yesterday.
Taylor scored a measured 52 off 83 balls in Central’s second innings of 320 all out, in which Kieran Noema-Barnett top-scored with 90.
Canterbury are chasing 332 for victory in the Plunket Shield clash, and will begin today at 88 for 1, with Peter Fulton (50) and Shanan Stewart (1) at the crease.
Seamer Ryan McCone starred for Canterbury with the ball, snaring 4 for 82 off his 20 overs.
Meanwhile at Seddon Park in Hamilton, Auckland crushed Northern Districts by an innings and 90 runs.
Craig Cachopa scored 116 for the visitors, but received little real assistance from his fellow batsmen as Auckland were humbled for 284. Earlier Northern had finished up at 614 for 7 declared.
Jono Boult, who claimed a stunning 4 for 37 off his 20 overs, caused the most problems for the Auckland batsmen, while James Baker ( 1- 37 off 13 overs) also proved hard to get away.
Otago also notched up an impressive victory when they dismissed Wellington for 157 in their second innings to claim a win by an innings and 240 runs at Univer- sity Oval in Dunedin. The victory has set up by Otago’s recordbreaking first innings total of 651 for 9 declared, which beat the province’s former highest innings of 624, scored against Central Districts in Napier six years ago.
Michael Bracewell scored his maiden first-class century, with a polished 190, in the effort, Neil Broom scored 134.
Former Australian wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi, who is now available for New Zealand selection, topscored with 49 in Wellington’s 157, while Otago seamer James Fuller was on fire for the host, taking a sharp 6 for 24 of his 12.5 overs.
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