Hay’s long vigil puts CD on top

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.

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 four in his patient knock. His marathon effort lasted 391 minutes and 296 balls following the Stags winning the toss and choosing to bat.

Hay and 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 partnership for the third wicket.

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.

Day one at Molyneux Park in Alexandra: Central Stags 278-4 (Greg Hay 130no, Tom Bruce 71, Brad Schmulian 41; Nathan Smith 2-38, Jacob Duffy 2-51).

Rain was the major influence on the opening day at Seddon Park in Hamilton where the Wellington Firebirds won the toss and put Northern Districts into bat. Play finally began in the final session but just 15 overs were bowled.

Ollie Newton, Iain McPeake and Ben Sears all took one wicket for the Firebirds as Northern struggled through to 48-3 at stumps.

Day one at Seddon Park in

Hamilton: Northern Districts

48-3 (Bharat Popli 23no). Rain also disrupted play at Eden Park Outer Oval where Auckland won the toss and inserted Canterbury.

An unbeaten 62 from Cameron Fletcher has helped rescue Canterbury’s innings after they were in serious strife at 4-49.

Canterbury 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.

Rain delayed the start of the match and twice forced the players from the field.

Day one at Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland: Canterbury: 166-5 (Cameron Fletcher 62no, Leo Carter 35, Chad Bowes 21; Sean Solia 3-31).