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Cameron Merchant celebrates hitting the four that brought about his maiden century for Wellington. - Source: Photosport -
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Wellington cricketer Cameron Merchant converted an unplanned promotion into his maiden first-class century on Thursday.
Merchant scored a richly entertaining 108 in the makeshift opener's role as Wellington reached 255 for five in their second innings on the third day of a Plunket Shield match against Auckland at the Basin Reserve.
That left the home side holding an overall lead of 337 heading into the final day tomorrow when declaration considerations will preoccupy the thoughts of Wellington skipper Matthew Bell.
Left-hander Merchant, who shifted from Northern Districts during the off-season, normally bats in the middle order but was asked to strap the pads on early because regular opener Josh Brodie was battling a leg injury picked up while he scored his own century on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old responded to the challenge in style, passing three figures for the first time in 10 first-class matches after being denied the milestone only last week when he was dismissed off a full toss for 99 against Canterbury.
He wasted little time making up for that spurned opportunity, showing a positive intent before raising his century off just 120 balls in a tick over two hours by hitting spinner Jeet Raval for his ninth four to complement three earlier sixes.
Raval had the last world, however, bowling Merchant shortly afterwards to leave Luke Woodcock, on 49, and Dewayne Bowden, 24, to resume tomorrow morning.
With three spinners to call upon, Bell will be conscious of the need to give his bowlers enough overs on Friday in which to dismiss Auckland on a pitch which continues to hold few terrors.
Offspinner Jeetan Patel was at times awkward before Auckland declared their first innings at 274 for nine, gifting Wellington a lead of 82 runs.
Patel, with four for 73 off 36 overs, posed most problems for an Auckland outfit who were cruising at 170 for one yesterday before three late wickets tilted the balance in the home side's favour.
Among those dismissed by Patel late yesterday was captain Richard Jones for 101, and the spinner returned to action quickly this morning to deceive Scott Styris before he had time to settle.
Having resumed at 186 for four, Styris' cheap dismissal severely damaged Auckland's hopes of challenging Wellington's first innings effort of 356.
Canterbury more than a match
Meanwhile, Canterbury have already matched their entire points haul from the last domestic four-day cricket competition by comfortably securing a first innings advantage on Thursday before setting Otago 471 for victory at Rangiora.
At stumps on the penultimate afternoon of the four-day Plunket Shield match Otago had reached 65 without loss.
Canterbury, who also banked two points against Wellington in the opening round, were never at risk of failing to repeat the feat when Otago resumed on a distant 195 for seven in their first innings.
They eventually made 235, Neil Wagner's breezy 41 proving a highlight of a predictable morning for the visitors as he creamed a half dozen boundaries before Shane Bond picked up his fourth scalp.
Bond, playing a four-day match for the first time in 17 months, proved his capability for next week's test series opener against Pakistan in Dunedin by spreading 19 overs over four spells in taking four for 63.
The 34-year-old, who last played a test in November, 2007, in South Africa, bowled at a penetrative clip throughout and should he be fit at the close of play tomorrow he is expected to should provincial teammate Chris Martin in the New Zealand pace attack.
Canterbury methodically extended their first innings led of 205 with former international Peter Fulton adding a smooth 77, including six boundaries, to his 172 from the first innings.
Fulton and Shanan Stewart, who made 65, added 124 for the third wicket after the Otago new ball bowlers experienced some early joy.
Although the pair were back in the pavilion in quick succession after lunch, Carl Anderson, with 42, and captain Kruger van Wyk, 30, added an effortless unbroken 66 before the latter declared the innings closed at 265 for five.
The ease of run accumulation on a benign pitch was further illustrated by Otago openers Leighton Morgan and Shaun Haig, who made 32 and 33 respectively in the 23 overs available before the close.
Otago have the hitting power of Brendon McCullum in reserve, although they may be pushed to conjure up the 406 required on Friday.
Districts seal the deal
Northern Districts have stolen a march on their Plunket Shield cricket rivals after strolling to an easy win over Central Districts in their clash.
They wrapped up their four-day match in the second session on the third day at Cobham Oval in Whangarei after making light work of a modest target.
Opener Michael Parlane smacked a brisk 66 not out as they rushed to 129 for one in their second innings after seam bowler Graeme Aldridge had earlier completed a career-best match analysis of 11 for 145 when Central Districts were dismissed for 310.
After also beating Otago outright in the first round last week, it left Northern Districts with maximum points after two rounds.
The visitors had resumed this morning still in deficit at 178 for five in their second innings, and the result became increasingly predictable after the overnight pairing of Mathew Sinclair and Bevan Griggs were removed.
Griggs added only three runs to his overnight tally of six before Aldridge induced an edge behind as he became the 12th batsman caught by wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan, giving the Northern Districts gloveman the world record for the number of catches taken in a first-class match.
Despite an obstinate 60 not out by Doug Bracewell, featuring eight fours and two sixes, as well as 36 by Ewen Thompson, Central Districts' fate was sealed once Sinclair was removed, caught at slip by Parlane off Trent Boult.
Sinclair, who resumed on 85, departed seven short of his century, leaving the scene to Aldridge to complete a magnificent match return.
Having taken career-best figures of six for 49 when Central
Districts were rolled for just 94 in their first innings, Aldridge
completed the job by collecting another three wickets to finish
with five for 96.
