Cricket: Wilson ton Otago’s best on day one

Brad Wilson.
Brad Wilson.
There is not much riding on the outcome but Otago opener Brad Wilson will have enjoyed scoring a century against his old team.

Wilson was undefeated on 123 at stumps on day one against Northern Districts in Whangarei yesterday.

It is his third first-class century this season and it helped his side reach 285 for five.

The 30-year-old played a patient knock and his restraint was rewarded when he cut a delivery from spinner Joe Walker to the boundary to raise the milestone.

His 100 came up off 232 balls and he had batted for five hours to get there. Had more of his team-mates exercised his self-discipline, the visitors might have worked their way into a stronger position.

It is the last game of the season, though, and Otago is out of the hunt in last place, so motivation might be flagging a touch.

Fellow opener Ryan Duffy was a touch unlucky. He glanced a delivery from James Baker, only to be caught down the leg side by the keeper for 18.

The out-of-form Michael Bracewell chased a wide delivery and nicked out for 22. Anaru Kitchen got a start, getting through to 23 before he thrashed an edge to first slip.

Jimmy Neesham had just hit consecutive fours but skied a pull shot going for the hat-trick, ending his innings on 35.

Derek de Boorder was certainly patient enough but made a miscalculation on 11. He shouldered arms to a delivery from James Baker that jagged back and struck him on the pad. He was promptly given out lbw.

Josh Finnie joined Wilson at the crease and played plenty of shots during the remaining overs. He will resume today on 32, while Wilson needs another eight runs to reach 5000 first-class runs.

Baker claimed his 100th first-class wicket when he removed de Boorder with a cracking delivery. He has three for 56 and there is a five-wicket bag in the offering if he can get it right again today.

At the Basin Reserve, Canterbury was 359 for six at stumps. Ken McClure scored 118, his second first-class hundred. Peter Fulton got through 76, bringing up 10,000 first-class runs in the process, and Chad Bowes made 81 at the top of the innings. Todd Astle is undefeated on 52.

Jeetan Patel was the pick of the Wellington bowlers. The experienced spinner has three for 67.

In Napier, Auckland is 382 for nine. Opener Jeet Raval top-scored with 147. It was his 14th first-class hundred. Shawn Hicks and Colin de Grandhomme chipped in with half-centuries.

Black caps seamer Doug Bracewell was the star, though. He took five for 60 to claim his eighth first-class five-wicket haul.

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