Cricket: Pitch hard to 'get in on'

Otago coach

was not too concerned his side slumped from 124 for none to 10 for 234 in a warm-up match against Canterbury at the University Oval yesterday.

Hesson said the pitch was difficult to "get in on".

"It has been like that the whole game and once you get in on it, you've just got to make the most of your opportunities," he said.

Leighton Morgan and Shaun Haig got Otago off to a good start with an opening stand of 124, but the next 10 wickets went for 100 runs as the Volts struggled to put another partnership together.

Morgan retired undefeated on 60 to give others an opportunity and Haig was bowled on 57.

Nick Beard (18) and Anthony Bullick (29) helped stem the tide with a handy 43-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Andrew Ellis bowled a tidy spell for Canterbury, taking one for 19 from 12 overs and Rob Nicol starred with three for six from eight overs.

The match will resume today with Canterbury batting.