Otago take five points from draw

Wellington 297 (Murdoch 121, Wagner 5-73) and 255 for 5 (Papps 110) drew with Otago 251 for 8 dec (Ryder 58, Redmond 50, McEwan 3-70)
Scorecard

Michael Papps registered his 26th first-class century on the last day of Wellington's draw in their Plunket Shield game against Otago. Despite collecting four points, Wellington continue at the bottom of the table, while Otago picked up five points.

Asked to bat, Wellington lost their openers cheaply, but Stephen Murdoch added 59 with Michael Pollard and rebuilt the innings. Murdoch, also aided by useful contributions from James Franklin and Tom Blundell, went on to make 121, before he was bowled by Neil Wagner, who sparked a lower-order collapse and claimed figures of 5 for 73 as Wellington lost their last six wickets for only 31, to be restricted to 297.

In response, Otago had a solid start, thanks to a 78-run opening partnership between Aaron Redmond (50) and Hamish Rutherford. The stand ended when Andy McKay struck in the 19th over of the innings to dismiss Rutherford for 36. Soon after, Michael Bracewell and Redmond were out off successive balls, as Otago were pegged back. Jesse Ryder's 80-ball 58 propped them up, before Otago gave away a first-innings lead of 46 by declaring on 251 for 8.

Papps then scored 110 to extend Wellington's lead in the match that saw rain interruptions on the first and third days, and delayed starts on all days. Pollard and Blundell chipped in again as Wellington finished on 255 for 5 and Otago used as many as ten bowlers in the innings.