Otago had a little help from Namibian international Christi Viljoen yesterday.
The South African-born all-rounder took three wickets to help his adopted province dismiss Auckland for 255 on day two at the University Oval.
The visitors rallied, though, reducing Otago to 116 for five at stumps.
Some of the batting on display was not particularly impressive but it was a day for the bowlers, as the surface offered assistance.
Viljoen, who is in just his second game for Otago, does most of the damage in the air, though. He got the ball to duck into the right-handers quite dramatically.
The extra swing is a product of his rather unusual action. He bowls off the back foot like Lance Cairns used to and, while it looks, well, a bit goofy, it proved effective.
The 28-year-old's first wicket for Otago made for rather spectacular viewing. It swung in and then nipped in further off the deck. Poor old Brad Cachopa had shouldered arms and had his off pole knocked out of the ground. Viljoen took two more to finish with three for 44.
‘‘It was nice conditions this morning for a bit of swing,'' Viljoen said.
‘‘It was good to get that first wicket [for Otago].''
As for that unusual action: ‘‘I jump off the right foot and land on the right foot. I just release it a bit earlier which makes it look a bit strange.
‘‘It seems to work so no point in changing it.''
Viljoen grew up in South Africa but qualifies to play for Namibia through his father. When he missed out on selection for the World Cup, he decided change was in order. He played cricket with Neil Wagner, so had that connection to Dunedin and decided to make the move here.
Viljoen was not the only Otago bowler to perform well. Jack Hunter (three for 74) and Craig Smith (three for 55) also had their moments.
Robbie O'Donnell's bold innings of 87 gave Auckland's innings some spine. He took some chances and was eventually out when he shuffled down the wicket and skied a catch to gully off the bowling of Smith.
Otago's day took a turn for the worse when it batted. Kaikorai opener Ryan Duffy was resolute with an undefeated 62. But his batting partner, Brad Wilson, got a wee inside edge on a yorker from Lockie Ferguson and he was bowled for seven.
Donovan Grobbelaar squeezed a delivery under the swinging bat of Michael Bracewell. Anaru Kitchen guided a catch into the slips. Jimmy Neesham chased a drive and got all edge, and Derek de Boorder was strangled down leg side.
Out of that lot only Neesham (17) reached double figures. With a longish tail, Otago will do well to avoid conceding a reasonable deficit from its position.
In Hamilton, Central Districts reached 269 for nine and trails Northern Districts by 189 runs.
There was no play at Hagley Oval yesterday between Canterbury and Wellington.
