Taylor leads run-feast at Napier
A summary of the first day's play in the fifth round of the State Championship
Dylan Cleaver
07-Dec-2006
Central Districts v Otago
A staggering 466 runs were scored on the first day at Napier, thanks largely to a career-best 217 from Ross Taylor. Many pundits were picking Taylor to be part of the New Zealand squad playing Sri Lanka and he showed why, scoring his runs off just 212 balls with 26 boundaries and two sixes. Magnifying his innings was the fact of the other Central batsmen only Bevan Griggs passed 30, scoring 75 in a third-wicket partnership of 158. James McMillan continued his impressive start to the season with 4 for 82. Central might even feel a little disappointed with their total of 394, given that Otago had cruised serenely to 72 for 1 at stumps, Sean Haig and Aaron Redmond the not-out batsmen.
A staggering 466 runs were scored on the first day at Napier, thanks largely to a career-best 217 from Ross Taylor. Many pundits were picking Taylor to be part of the New Zealand squad playing Sri Lanka and he showed why, scoring his runs off just 212 balls with 26 boundaries and two sixes. Magnifying his innings was the fact of the other Central batsmen only Bevan Griggs passed 30, scoring 75 in a third-wicket partnership of 158. James McMillan continued his impressive start to the season with 4 for 82. Central might even feel a little disappointed with their total of 394, given that Otago had cruised serenely to 72 for 1 at stumps, Sean Haig and Aaron Redmond the not-out batsmen.
Wellington v Northern Districts
A far more sedate day's play was taking place in Hamilton, where last season's runner-up Wellington cruised through to stumps at 351 for 4. A toothless Northern attack could do nothing to upset the visitors, particularly Matthew Bell, who scored his 17th first-class century before being dismissed for 101. Joining in the run feast were the Parlanes, with Michael scoring 61 and Neal unbeaten on 66. Chris Nevin chipped in with an even 50. Graeme Aldridge was the best of a disappointing attack with 2 for 69.
A far more sedate day's play was taking place in Hamilton, where last season's runner-up Wellington cruised through to stumps at 351 for 4. A toothless Northern attack could do nothing to upset the visitors, particularly Matthew Bell, who scored his 17th first-class century before being dismissed for 101. Joining in the run feast were the Parlanes, with Michael scoring 61 and Neal unbeaten on 66. Chris Nevin chipped in with an even 50. Graeme Aldridge was the best of a disappointing attack with 2 for 69.
Canterbury v Auckland
Canterbury put the yawns on everybody by limping through to a sleep-inducing 251 against home side Auckland at the Eden Park Outer Oval. Only discarded New Zealand batsman Peter Fulton quickened the pulse with a well-made 68 off 99 balls. Michael Papps scored 21 on his comeback from injury. Andre Adams was Auckland's best bowler with 3 for 57 off 25 overs. Tim McIntosh, the Auckland opener, scored four runs off the only available over before stumps.
Canterbury put the yawns on everybody by limping through to a sleep-inducing 251 against home side Auckland at the Eden Park Outer Oval. Only discarded New Zealand batsman Peter Fulton quickened the pulse with a well-made 68 off 99 balls. Michael Papps scored 21 on his comeback from injury. Andre Adams was Auckland's best bowler with 3 for 57 off 25 overs. Tim McIntosh, the Auckland opener, scored four runs off the only available over before stumps.
Dylan Cleaver is senior sports writer of Herald on Sunday
