Canty dismissed cheaply by Otago

The Otago Volts remain in charge of their Plunket Shield match with Canterbury at Queen’s Park in Invercargill, leading by 284 runs at stumps yesterday, despite slumping to 142-7 in their second innings.

Matt Henry took 2-41 and Fraser Sheat 2-42 as Canterbury stayed in the contest despite failing in their first dig with the bat.

Canterbury began the day on 20-1 in reply to the Volts’ 287, but only posted 145, with Cam Fletcher’s 32 the highest score.

Jacob Duffy took 3-32 for the Volts while Michael Rae had 3-33, efforts that left their side well in front.

Blair Tickner claimed his second fivewicket bag in first-class cricket, keeping the Central Stags alive in their their top-ofthe-tableclash against the Wellington Firebirds.

The white-ball Black Cap finished with 5-96 as the Firebirds were dismissed for 298 on day two, good enough for a lead of 202 after their first-innings demolition of the visitors to the Basin Reserve.

Rachin Ravindra made 76 and Michael Bracewell 70, with Jimmy Neesham adding 63 before he became Tickner’s fifth victim.

The Stags had moved to 124-2 at stumps with Greg Hay unbeaten on 54 and Ben Smith on 4 and the Firebirds still 78 runs ahead.

Mark Chapman posted his third firstclass century as the Auckland Aces spent most of the day responding to Northern Districts’ first-innings effort of 438.

He was unbeaten on 131 as the Aces finished they day on 253-3 at Eden Park Outer Oval, still trailing by 185. Martin Guptill earlier made 63.

orthern began the day at 303-4 and added 135 further runs with skipper Joe Carter finishing on 169, his highest firstclass score.