Cricket: Haig cashes in as outright win proves elusive

Shaun Haig
Shaun Haig
Otago middle-order batsman Shaun Haig joined the Eden Park Outer Oval fan club when he became the 10th batsman in three first-class matches to post a century at the venue this season.

There was plenty of space on the list with so many bowlers scratching their name out.

An outright result has not been attained at the venue this summer, with a superb surface proving to be a haven for batsmen.

In all, 3183 runs have been scored in three games at an average of 62.4 per wicket.

Otago skipper Craig Cumming and Auckland opener Martin Guptil also reached three figures during the course of the match and the run-fest ensured a draw, with both sides agreeing a result was unlikely, leaving Otago 343 for seven in its second innings on the fourth and final day.

Auckland salvaged first innings points and moves to 11 points.

Otago is in fourth place with four points from four matches.

Central Districts tops the table with 25 points, with Wellington in second place on 18 points.

Haig's contribution was a fine 108.

It was his second time into three figures in just 11 first-class matches.

Resuming on seven with Otago on 132 for four yesterday morning, Haig made the most of the conditions on offer.

After losing his overnight partner, Nathan McCullum, for 25, he enjoyed a stand of 145 for the sixth wicket with Derek de Boorder, who ended the game unbeaten on 68.

Haig's 295-minute effort finally ended when leg-spinner Tarun Nethula trapped him leg before wicket.

He raised his century with a lofted sweep for his ninth boundary, having earlier failed to pierce the field with conventional sweep shots along the turf.

Nethula was the pick of the Auckland attack.

The Indian-born 25-year-old collected career-best figures of four for 100 off 35 overs.

 

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