The Central Stags captain was unbeaten on 137 on day two of their Plunket Shield game yesterday.
Hay was exceptional and put in a massive shift, spending over seven hours at the crease to help the Stags to 361 at stumps, in reply to Otago’s first innings of 309.
The Stags lead by 52 runs with five wickets in hand as they head into day three at McLean Park in Napier today in the final game of the season.
The Stags started yesterday on 12 for one, after the loss of Curtis Heaphy on Sunday night.
Black Caps opener Will Young was composed and got them off on the right foot.
He guided 11 balls to the boundary and smacked Andrew Hazeldine’s delivery for six to bring up his 50.
Young and Hay shared the load nicely and added 153 runs in good time for the third wicket.
Young looked to be on for a big total when Travis Muller trapped him for lbw on 90 to remove some of the pressure.
But Brad Schmulian came to the crease and picked up where Young left off.
He whacked 58 runs of 78 balls, including seven fours and a six, in an important cameo before he was run out by Thorn Parkes and wicket keeper Max Chu.
Tom Bruce added 32 runs to the total before spinner Ben Lockrose finally made his break through.
Dane Cleaver then came in to add 11 before he was caught behind by Chu.
But it was Hay who was the star of the show for the Stags, tempering his runs and guiding 11 balls to the boundary.
The Volts had no answer for him and will be eager to remove Hay early on today to move into the tail order.
New Black Cap Josh Clarkson (nine not out) will resume proceedings with Hay this morning.
