Central poised for victory

Press, 4 February 1986, Page 38

Central poised for victory

PA New Plymouth A fighting partnership between the captain, Peter Webb, and Richard Reid spared Auckland blushes as Central Districts dominated proceedings on the second day of the Shell Trophy match at New Plymouth yesterday. The 65-run partnership took Auckland to 106 for five at stumps, an over-all lead of 80, and meant Central will have more than just a mopplng-up job today. Webb was undefeated on 47 at the close but the fast bowler, Gary Robertson, halted Reid’s defiant 25-run innings just before stumps. Auckland began its second innings 26 behind Central Districts and was sinking quickly at 24 for three — still two behind Central’s first innings total of 254 for three declared. Webb and Reid came together at 35 for four after the elegant Dipak Patel had walked after edging Robertson into the gloves of lan Smith. Webb immediately took to the former international, Derek Stirling, and blasted him out of the attack after just three overs.

The medium-pacer, Wayne Martin, and spinner, Stuart Duff, were both treated similarly before tightening their line. Earlier, Trevor Franklin, who had looked in fine touch on the first day in scoring 69, was out for eight with the total at 10.

Two runs later, his fellow opener, Derek Scott,

departed for just three. Mark Greatbatch faced only nine balls before Robertson hit his offstump to send Auckland reeling further. Robertson pressed home the first innings advantage gained by Central, bowling good line and length.

He complemented the excellent work of Central’s openers, John Smith and Scott Briasco, who shared a 172-run partnership. CENTRAL DISTRICTS First innings J. Smith c Kelly b Scott 89 S. Briasco c Troup b Scott 91 S. Robertson c Kelly b Franklin 16 T. Blain not out 35 S. Duff not out 14 Extras (bl, nb4, lb 4) . 9 Total (for 3 wkts dec.) 254 Fall: 172, 195, 230. Bowling: G. Troup 11, 6, 17, 0 (nbl); D. Morrison 10, 5, 19, 0 (nbl); W. Watson 5,0, 20, 0 (nb2); D. Patel 40, 15, 69, 0; D. Scott 20, 7, 44, 2; A. Hunt 14, 2, 50, 0; T. Franklin 6,1, 21, 1; R. Reid 3,0, 9, 0. AUCKLAND First Innings 228 Second innings T. Franklin b Robertson/. 8 D. Scott c Smith b Visser 3 M. Greatbatch b Robertson 6 D. Patel c Smith b Robertson 10 R. Reid lbw Robertson . 25 P. Webb not out 47 D. Morrison not out. . . 4 Extras (lb 3 3 Total (for 5 wkts) 106 Fall: 10, 12, 24, 35, 100. Bowling: G. Robertson 12, 3, 23, 4; P. Visser 13, 5, 32, 1; D. Stirling 3,0, 19, 0; W. Martin 6,2, 15, 0; S. Duff 6,2, 14, 0.