Tailenders’ big stand trumps Ellis’ heroics as Wellington fight back
CRICKET
Richard Knowler It should have been Andrew Ellis’ day until a barrel-chested Wellingtonian beat up Canterbury’s bowling attack yesterday.
No, it wasn’t Jesse Ryder doing the damage on the opening day of the Plunket Shield match at Rangiora. Mark Gillespie, more renowned for his ability with the ball, took some of the attention off Ellis – who grabbed six for 58 off 15 overs – when he bludgeoned 77 runs off 63 balls in a record 10thwicket stand against Canterbury.
That ensured Wellington’s firstinnings total was a respectable 239. It also broke the record of 87, set in the 1944-45 season.
In reply, Canterbury were 91 for two by stumps.
Having combined with Andy McKay for a 113-run partnership, Gillespie was the instigator of something few spectators believed possible when Wellington wobbled to 126 for nine.
With right-arm seamer Ellis collecting three wickets in the 41st over to take his bag to six, and Gareth Andrew having Scott Kug- geleijn caught behind the next over, Wellington looked destined for a long day in the field.
However, Gillespie was having none of that.
Whether it be driving off the front foot to send the ball back over the bowlers’ heads or producing flamboyant cut shots over the slips’ cordon, he slowly tugged Wellington from the quicksand.
Ryder, meanwhile, was a disappointment. Having arrived with everyone abuzz about his terrific form, he lasted just four balls before being bowled by Ellis.
At 60 for three, Wellington needed to consolidate and although Michael Papps (31) and Grant Elliott (26) had contributed to their effort, there was not much else forthcoming until Gillespie went to town.
Shortly after Canterbury went out to bat in their second innings they were in trouble at five for two. However, Dean Brownlie (53) and Peter Fulton (32) thwarted any suggestion of a capitulation.
At Harry Barker Reserve in Gisborne, Central Districts were two for no wicket on day three of their Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts, chasing 95 runs for the outright win.
Earlier, they had dismissed Northern for 252.