Taranaki Daily News

Hay’s long vigil puts Central on top

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A Greg Hay century has put the Central Stags in a strong position on the opening day of their Plunket Shield clash against the Otago Volts yesterday.

The Central opener batted all day, as 97 overs were bowled, at Molyneux Park in Alexandra to help the Stags to 278-4 at stumps in the third-round encounter.

Hay brought up his 12th firstclass hundred in 229 balls and finished the day unbeaten on 130 with 18 fours in his patient knock. His marathon effort lasted 391 minutes and 296 balls.

Hay and his fellow opener Brad Schmulian (41) got the Stags off to a solid start before Schmulian was bowled by Jacob Duffy.

Dean Foxcroft came and went for 10 – bowled by Nathan Smith – but Hay then combined with former Black Cap Tom Bruce for a 142-run third-wicket partnershi­p.

Bruce was eventually trapped in front by Duffy on 71 and Smith cleaned up Dane Cleaver shortly after to bring Otago back into the match at 274-4.

Duffy and Smith were the pick of the Volts bowlers on a tough day with ball in hand.

Duffy got through 22 overs to take 2-51 and Smith’s 2-38 came from 17 overs.

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