Cricket: Otago start well against Canterbury

Otago hoped to make a strong start to their season, and have started in out in positive fashion on day one of their four-day match against Canterbury today.

After dismissing the home side for 297, Otago moved through to 63 without loss at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.

Aaron Redmond was not out 30 and fellow opener Hamish Rutherford was 27no.

After Canterbury won the toss and chose to bat, the visitors chipped away through the day to keep the home side in check, eventually dismissing the hosts just shy of 300.

Canterbury largely had Todd Astle to thank for getting them to that total, the recent Black Caps selection scoring 95 batting at No 8 in the order to temporarily halt the Otago push.

For the visitors, Neil Wagner shone with four for 67, while the other five Otago bowlers took a wicket apiece, and there was a runout.