David Boyle scores maiden century

Press, 7 February 1986, Page 32

David Boyle scores maiden century

PA Dunedin David Boyle scored his maiden first-class century to pilot Canterbury to a sound position at stumps on the first day of its Shell Trophy cricket match against Otago at Carisbrook yesterday.

Boyle combined in century stands with Paul McEwan and Peter Kennedy as Canterbury reached 322 for three wickets after Otago had won the toss and elected to field.

Otago’s spirits were high when Anup Nathu was run out without scoring in the second over, but that was to be Otago’s only cheap wicket. Boyle, dropped in the slips when on 22, batted with patience and style as he more than doubled his previous first-class score of 68. Paul McEwan, who also had let-offs in the slips when on 29 and 43, batted with typical forthrightness and he and Boyle scored 115 together for the second wicket in 136 minutes.

McEwan, who was soon in full flight, scored his 70 in 136 minutes from 115 balls (6 fours), before he was adjudged lbw to Stephen Boock just before lunch. But there was no

respite for Otago because Boyle and Peter Kennedy — who scored 136 together against Wellington on Tuesday — added 140 together for the third wicket in 204 minutes. Boyle was solid and watchful in defence, but he also played many handsome attacking strokes during his marathon innings. He reached his 50 off 154 balls and his century in 309 balls with 11 fours, when he turned a ball from Neil Mallender backward of square for a single.

He spent a long time in the nineties, but showed immense concentration.

By the end of the day he had scored 140 not out in 415 minutes after facing 403 balls and hitting 15 fours.

After Kennedy was out lbw to the persevering John Cushen, Rod Latham helped Boyle in an unbeaten stand of 67 runs in the 70 minutes before stumps.

The one criticism of the Canterbury batsmen was that they did not seek to take the initiative from the Otago bowlers on a pitch which soon flattened out.

Canterbury could have pushed the scoring along after Boyle reached his century, and, perhaps,

give Otago 30 minutes batting before stumps. But it seems Canterbury will bat on to a big score today and then pin its faith in its bowlers dismissing. Otago cheaply twice. CANTERBURY First innings D. J. Boyle not out . . . 140 A. Nathu run out 0 P. E. McEwan, lbw b Boock 70 P. G. Kennedy lbw b Cushen 53 R. T. Latham not out. . 39 Extras (lb!2, nbB). . . 20 Total (for 3 wkts) 322 Fall: 0, 115, 225. Bowling.— N. A. Mallender 25, 8, 82, 0 (nb8); J. A. Cushen 30, 11, 66, 1; B. J. McKechnie 30, 10, 68, 0; S. L. BOOCk 36, 14, 57, 1; K. R. Rutherford 6,2, 17, 0; J. K. Lindsay 3,0, 20, 0.