The clouds overhead and their threatening payload was of much more immediate concern.
But McClure's batting quickly demanded attention. The diminutive 21-year-old right-hander decided to counter the threat offspinner Mark Craig posed with attack and kept attacking, whacking an undefeated 193 from 266 deliveries.
It was his maiden first-class hundred and he guided Canterbury to a most unlikely five-wicket win at Queens Park in Invercargill.
The old warrior, Peter Fulton, played an important part in the mammoth chase. He scored 70 and combined in a 131-run stand for the fourth wicket with McClure.
The visitors had resumed day four at 62 for three, needing a further 335 runs to win and did it with relative ease, reaching 398 for five.
It was Canterbury's second-highest fourth-innings total behind the 473 for six it reached against Auckland at Lancaster Park in 1930-31.
While McClure played a remarkable hand, Otago's bowling performance was not up to standard, Volts coach Nathan King said.
‘‘Ken played well but we have to be honest with ourselves. We just didn't bowl well enough,'' King said.
‘‘It was a wicket which we knew was tough for the seamers. It did offer a lot of assistance but then they weren't able to even contain for us today. The spinners did not bowl well enough, either.''
Otago managed to take only two wickets during the final day and neither ball deserved a wicket.
Fulton made a late decision to flick a delivery from Craig into the off side but spooned a catch to Neil Broom, and Andrew Ellis lost all poise trying to swat away a waist-high full toss from Anaru Kitchen.
‘‘It was thoroughly disappointing, because we actually played really well for the first three days and the scoreboard showed that. To turn up on the last day and put in a performance like that was disappointing.''
Otago set Canterbury a demanding target of 397 with its second innings declaration at 225 for three.
King had no regrets about declaration and felt his side went into the game with the right mix, despite seamer Jack Hunter and all-rounder Christi Viljoen bowling just 15 overs between them for the match.
Otago, instead, kept part-time left-arm spinner Kitchen busy.
‘‘There are only so many overs you expect from a second spinner, anyway,'' King said, but also acknowledged that in hindsight a second specialist spinner may have proved useful.
At the Basin Reserve, Wellington secured a three-wicket win in a dramatic game against Northern Districts. It was set 378 for victory and got there with an over to spare.
Scott Borthwick top-scored with 94 and Tom Blundell (78 from 58 balls) was instrumental in e result.
Auckland remains top of the Plunket Shield heading into the final three rounds after being the only successful bowling side on a day of dramatic run chases. Auckland declared overnight to set Central Districts 383 for victory at Eden Park Outer Oval.
The visitors put up a good fight before being bowled out for 335, as Tarun Nethula picked up five for 140 to finish with 11 wickets in the match.
OTAGO VOLTS
First innings 351
CANTERBURY
First innings 180
OTAGO VOLTS
Second innings 225 for 3 dec
CANTERBURY
Second innings (target: 397 runs)
L Carter c Neesham b Duffy 9
M Davidson c Bracewell b Craig 7
P Fulton c Broom b Craig 70
C Bowes b Craig 17
K McClure not out 193
A Ellis c Smith b Kitchen 32
T Astle not out 48
Extras (12b, 7lb, 3nb) 22
Total (for 5 wkts, 106.3 overs) 398
Fall: 1/11 (Carter), 2/38 (Davidson), 3/57
(Bowes), 4/188 (Fulton), 5/302 (Ellis)
Bowling: C Smith 11 overs, 1 maiden, 46
runs, 0 wickets; J Duffy 22.3-6-57-1 (1nb), M
Craig 37-4-152-3, A Kitchen 22-2-73-1, J
Neesham 8-0-35-0, J Hunter 6-0-16-0 (2nb)
