Lower-order come through for Wellington

Wellington's batsmen faced a difficult morning, starting out in gloomy conditions on Lincoln Green for the first day of their two-day match with the New Zealand Academy Selection yesterday. Scoring was slow as the need for survival was obvious. But once Richard Sherlock made the breakthrough by having Richard Jones caught behind, the wicket-taking momentum increased.

Michael Parlane, Luke Woodcock and Leighton Morgan followed in short order before Matthew Bell and Matthew Walker halted the rot to take the side to lunch at 70 for 4. However, soon after the resumption Bell was caught off his gloves from Sherlock for 37. Stu Mills joined Walker but at 103m Walker miscued a big shot at Aaron Redmond's leg-spin and was caught by Bevan Griggs, playing as wicketkeeper for the Academy Selection.

Redmond proved enticing to the batsmen and Mark Gillespie hit out briefly before being stumped. But Andrew Penn joined Mills and they launched into a more prolonged assault, although Penn had a let-off when dropped by a Wellington player acting as 12th man.

By tea they had placed their side at 168-7 with Penn unbeaten on 33 and Mills on 34. They each scored half-centuries after the break, Mills taking 103 balls and Penn, who scored his with a huge straight six, took only 67 balls. Their 100-run partnership was achieved in only 89 minutes. Redmond finally had his reward however, when Penn edged a ball to point to be out for 67. The partnership was worth 137 runs in 105 minutes.

Bell, the Wellington captain, declared the innings at 259-8. By stumps the Academy Selection were 35 without loss.

Brief scoreboard:

Wellington 259-8 (S Mills 74*, A Penn 67, M Bell 37, A Redmond 3-70, M Orchard 2-26, R Sherlock 2-51) met New Zealand Academy Selection 35-0.