Otago speedster torments old team
South African speedster Travis Muller rocked his former team with his best first-class figures yesterday, before a seesawing Plunket Shield match lurched back Wellington’s way in the capital.
Bustling into the crease on a gloomy morning at the Basin Reserve, the lively Muller snared 6-52 to give Otago a narrow first innings lead over the Firebirds.
At stumps on day two the hosts were back in an evenly poised contest as the Volts staggered to 143-7 in their second innings, to lead by 155 at the halfway point.
Muller roared into gear with Wellington well set at 99-2 in reply to Otago’s first innings of 207. He nicked off Wellington skipper Michael Bracewell (30), then snared the big wicket of test gloveman Tom Blundell lbw first ball.
Former Otago allrounder Nathan Smith, on his Wellington debut, also edged behind for 10 as the hosts lost 8-96.
Smith then came out firing with the ball, and led the way with 3-41 including the remarkable wicket of Michael Rippon who was bowled not offering a shot to one that swung sharply.
Otago captain Hamish Rutherford batted 214 minutes for 77 until he was seventh out in fading light.
Born in Cape Town, Muller played for South Africa Under-19 and made his first-class debut in February 2012 at Newlands before trying his luck in New Zealand five years later.
After playing one first-class match for the Firebirds in 2017 he headed south in search of greater opportunities. He played seven shield matches for Otago last summer (14 wickets at 39), and secured a contract for 2021-22 in the absence of compatriot Dean Foxcroft, stranded in South Africa due to Covid-19 restrictions.
In Christchurch, the angular figure of Blair Tickner dominated as Central Districts took charge of their match against defending champions Canterbury.
Missing Black Caps Ross Taylor and Ajaz Patel could not secure travel exemptions, the Stags ended day two 16-1 in their second innings to lead by 144.
Tickner hit 37 not out to boost CD to 369 – thanks to Bayley Wiggins’ memorable century on debut – then snared 5-64, including the prized wicket of Tom Latham for 11 as the hosts were skittled for 241.
Cam Fletcher (50) topscored for a strong Canterbury side.