http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Auckland-c766 in Plunket Shield
Wellington ended day-two of their Plunket Shield match against Auckland at 257 runs for the loss of nine wickets at the Colin Maiden Park in Auckland on Tuesday. The first day of the match was affected by rain and only 26 overs of play were possible.
The toss was won by the captain of the home team, Gareth Hopkins and he elected to field first. He took this decision considering the overcast conditions. However, his bowlers were able to take just two wickets in the day for 65 runs.
Stephen Murdoch and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Cameron-Merchant-c1216 started the innings for the visitors, but the start wasn’t an ideal one for the team. Merchant failed to get going and was dismissed without troubling the scorers.
The first-drop batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stewart-c91370 Rhodes failed to capitalise on the start he got, as he gave his wicket away after scoring 12 runs off 61 balls. His wicket brought the Wellington captain Grant Elliot to the middle, who batted sensibly along with Murdoch.
The pair put together 62 runs for the third wicket and guided their team out of trouble. However, Murdoch got out after scoring 63 runs. He played well for his team and constructed a very good half-century.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Neal-Parlane-c2087 joined his captain at the crease and the pair scored another 50 partnership in the innings. Elliot got out after constructing 65 runs. He was involved in two half-century partnerships, which helped his side achieve a respectable total.
Parlane missed out on a fifty, as he was sent back to the pavilion after adding 42 runs to the total. Michael Pollard took his time to settle down, but he wasn’t able to carry onto the start he got to his innings. He was out after scoring 28 runs.
At the close of the second day’s play, Jeetan Patel was unbeaten on 19 whereas; Andy McKay was yet to open his account. The pair will be looking forward to extending their first innings total over 300, but it will be a difficult ask for them.
Chris Martin was superb with the ball, as the veteran fast bowler took four wickets in the innings. There is still one more wicket to fall in the Wellington innings and the experienced campaigner will be eying a five-wicket haul. Gareth Shaw provided good
support to Martin, as he took two wickets for his team.
The match seems to be headed towards a draw, as there are only two days of play left. However, the first couple of sessions tomorrow will be important for both teams, and could determine the outcome of the match.
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