Hay bats all day in Alexandra

Cricket

A Greg Hay century has the Central Stags strongly placed on the opening day of their Plunket Shield clash against the Otago Volts.

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, the Stags captain, brought up his 12th first-class 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 following the Stags winning the toss and choosing to bat.

Rain disrupted play in Auckland where the home side won the toss and inserted Canterbury. An unbeaten 62 from New Zealand A player Cameron Fletcher helped rescue Canterbury after they were in serious strife at 49-4.

Canterbury had recovered to be 166-5 at the close of play. Sean Solia took three wickets as Canterbury lost their second, third and fourth wickets for just five runs. 68 overs were bowled as rain delayed the start and twice forced the players from the field.

Short scoreboard: Canterbury: 166-5 (Cameron Fletcher 62no, Leo Carter 35, Chad Bowes 21; Sean Solia 3-31) v Auckland.

Rain wrecked the Northern DistrictsWellington game in Hamilton with just 15 overs bowled as Northern, sent in, made 48-3.