Adrian Seconi

Otago cannot win the Plunket Shield but it can take some consolation in a gutsy match-saving innings of 155 not out from Michael Bracewell.

In offices throughout the country, people huddled around television sets hoping to watch ''our Baz'' create history.

Otago's chances of winning the Plunket Shield almost certainly disappeared with a remarkable batting onslaught from the two Colins - Munro and de Grandhomme.

Turns out Brendon McCullum might have scored a triple century before his fabulous effort at the Basin Reserve this week.

Whatever happens this morning, Brendon McCullum's test career will always be defined by the grit he has demonstrated during the past two days.

Otago missed several opportunities to put Auckland under enormous pressure before poor weather brought an early end to the day's play at the University Oval yesterday.

Basketball - well, a scaled-down version of the sport - made its first appearance at Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday.

It has been nearly six years since Bradley Scott played a game at home for Otago but he is hoping to turn back the clock.

Connections. Connections. Connections.

Black Caps all-rounder Corey Anderson is suddenly $872,000 richer thanks to the Mumbai Indians.

Rolled your arm over recently?

It has been quite a week for Otago all-rounder Jimmy Neesham.

Being versatile is a mixed blessing if you are a professional rugby player.

Otago top-order batsman Aaron Redmond is no stranger to finals cricket.

In an ideal world, Otago would be hosting Saturday's twenty20 final at the University Oval.

Cricket's meat market resumes when 514 players go under the hammer at the Indian Premier League auction in India later this week. Cricket writer Adrian Seconi imagines he scribbles the cheques for the Delhi Daredevils and puts an import roster together. All figures are New Zealand dollars.

Central Districts all-rounder Kieran Noema-Barnett claimed a hat trick to help his side secure a 134-run win against Otago in Nelson yesterday.

Otago cricket is not rushing to judge Jesse Ryder following revelations the talented batsman was out drinking the night before the first test against India.

Otago and Black Caps batsman Jesse Ryder can do no wrong on the park.