Stags’ tail fend off Volts bowlers to salvage draw

The Otago Volts went ever so close to what would have been an exciting win on the final day of their four-day Plunket Shield game against Central Districts in Dunedin yesterday.

The Volts began the day 371-8 with a handy 116-run first-innings lead over Central.

The tail pushed that out to a 127-run lead before they lost their final first-innings wicket yesterday morning.

It meant the Volts bowlers needed to make inroads into the Central batting lineup to put them in a position for victory.

When Central knocked off the deficit with the loss of three wickets, a draw looked likely.

The talented Will Young was the rock in the Central batting lineup as the youngster fell agonisingly short of his second first-class century when Jimmy Neesham picked him up on 99.

Young’s wicket was the start of a mini-collapse as the visitors went from 226-6 to 231-9 in double quick time.

With Central having the one wicket in hand and a 104-run lead with close to 20 overs remaining in the day, the Volts smelt blood.

However, Central’s No 10 and No 11, Adam Milne and Ajaz Patel, proved stubborn and saw out 11 overs to effectively end the home team’s hopes.

With eight overs remaining in the day, the game was called off and they had to settle on a draw.

Auckland pulled off a remarkable win over Northern Districts yesterday. Needing 409, they went about chasing down the target with Martin Guptill and Jeet Raval setting the tone with their opening stand of 98.

Tim McIntosh (93) and Colin de Grandhomme (102*) carried on the march towards the target.

The required 409 runs were made with six wickets in hand.

The Wellington and Canterbury fixture ended in a draw yesterday. Wellington were 133-0 when the game was called off, with Michael Papps unbeaten on 103.