Otago take upper hand on rainy day

Close of 2nd dayOtago 78 for 1 (Cumming 34*, Wasim 33) trail Auckland 198 by 120 runs
Scorecard

Otago gave themselves a chance of making a sizeable impact on the shape of the State Championship points table in their match against Auckland. Their upgraded venue at the University Oval proved an oasis of sunshine during stormy summer weather in New Zealand as both other matches in the competition, between Wellington and Northern Districts and Canterbury and Central Districts, were abandoned for the day without a ball being bowled.

The Dunedin game did not get a full day's play, but by bowling out Auckland for 198, and scoring 78 for 1 in response, Otago laid the foundation for the sort of innings that could see Auckland face a sizeable first-innings deficit. But that is in the perfect world, which is not somewhere Otago have operated from in recent seasons.

Craig Cumming, not wanted by the New Zealand selectors for the one-day campaign against South Africa, was unbeaten on 34 at stumps, after putting on 73 for the first wicket with Mohammad Wasim (33). Much will depend on at least one member of the Otago top order putting together the sort of big score that will allow Otago to dictate terms on the last two days of the match.

They created their position as the result of Warren McSkimming getting an early breakthrough on the second day, dismissing Sam Whiteman, the overnight batsman, and Tama Canning on 129. Aaron Barnes, the top scorer of the innings, was bowled by Jeff Wilson, who also picked up the wicket of Andre Adams.

Wilson, back after a frustrating injury break, ended with 3 for 34 from 19 overs, while McSkimming, who is enjoying one of the longer periods of his career without injury took his second five-wicket bag of the summer at a cost of 60 runs from his 24 overs.

Once again the depth of the Auckland batting was apparent when 49 runs were scored by their three lower-order batsmen.

Correction to first day report: Northern Districts ended the first day of their match, after a late resumption in play, on 155 for 4 at the Basin Reserve against Wellington. Grant Robinson was lbw to Jeetan Patel for 61 runs while Matthew Hart was 27 not out and Jaden Hatwell, five not out.