Draw ‘pretty pleasing result’ for Volts

Otago captain Luke Georgeson plays a shot during a Plunket Shield fixture against Canterbury at the University Oval on Saturday. Canterbury’s Rhys Mariu is under the helmet fielding in close. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

Otago has made strides forward in first-class cricket.

That is the verdict of the coach.

Josh Tasman-Jones felt his side rallied and played some good cricket during the final few days to secure a draw against Canterbury at the University Oval on Saturday.

They were set 383 to win and resumed on 18 without loss.

Jacob Cumming (39), Thorne Parkes (44) and Max Chu (41) all got set but could not push on.

Luke Georgeson (44 not out) and Ben Lockrose (30 not out) were at the wicket when poor weather resulted in the game being called off early with Otago was 214 for six.

The chances of winning the match had slipped away, but Tasman-Jones was pleased his side had held on for a draw in the circumstances.

"We got behind in the game early. That eight-wicket partnership they had in the first innings put us on the back foot," he said.

"But I thought the boys showed a lot of character for the rest of the game, and I think they made strides with our four-day cricket.

"Coming away with the draw was a pretty pleasing result in the end. Obviously, you always want to get full points, but it was a pretty productive and positive few days in the end."

Otago put Canterbury into bat and had made good progress. The visitors were 297 for seven.

Henry Nicholls posted 111. But it was the damaging partnership between Ish Sodhi (108 not out) and Sean Davey (101 not out) which saw the game slip away.

They added 204 — a Canterbury eighth-wicket record against Otago.

Black Caps all-rounder Glenn Phillips tried to drag Otago back into the contest.

He made 94 and bowled really well throughout the game.

The right-arm off spinner clocked the best part of 52 overs and took four wickets for the match.

He has been making his way back from a groin strain and was ruled out of selection for the first test against the West Indies starting in Christchurch tomorrow.

But the Black Caps may want him back for the second.

"We’d love to have him longer, obviously, but as I said to him yesterday, we’re looking forward to seeing him with a silver fern back on his chest.

"It’s been a long journey for him and his return from injury over the winter. I’m excited to see him back out there for the New Zealand side whenever that is."

Georgeson was another player who enhanced his reputation.

He posted scores of 59 not out and 44 not out in the game, and he took two for nine in Canterbury’s second innings.

Otago’s next assignment is against Northern Districts at Seddon Park later in the week.

Tasman-Jones said he was considering a change to his pace bowling lineup.

Left-arm fast bowler Andrew Hazeldine has tweaked his hamstring and will not be considered for selection.

But the likes of Toby Hart or Thomas O’Connor could get a run. They both played for the New Zealand XI in a warm-up game against the West Indies in Lincoln last week and equipped themselves well.

"We’ve got a really exciting crop of fast bowlers, so we’ve got a decision to make in how we utilise them as a group.

"We may look into bringing in one of our young quicks, and I think that’s a really positive way to harness the depth that we have at the moment."

Central Districts recorded an eight-wicket win against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.

Curtis Heaphy scored 132 and Brad Schmulian made 167 not out in the successful chase.

Northern Districts and Auckland had to settle for a draw in Mount Maunganui. But the home team made a big push on the final day. Jeet Raval (129) and Henry Cooper (206 not out) put on 272 for the first wicket.

CANTERBURY

First innings 501/7 dec

OTAGO

First innings 342

CANTERBURY

Second innings 223/4 dec

OTAGO

Second innings

J Cumming b Sodhi 39

J Boyle c Nicholls b Davey 9

T Jones b Sheat 1

T Parkes c Boyle b Sodhi 44