Henry Cooper got a hundred.
Let’s call it even.
Neither Northern Districts nor Otago could definitively claim the bragging rights on the opening day of their Plunket Shield game at Bay Oval in Tauranga yesterday.
Cooper posted his seventh first-class century and third against Otago to help his side reach 246 for seven when bad light ushered in an early finish.
But Duffy kept probing away and was rewarded with five for 81 — his second five-for this season and 11th overall.
The 28-year-old has captured 13 wickets already and Otago is not even halfway through its second game.
Cooper continued his impressive run against Otago with 112. The right-hander went into the fixture having scored 624 runs at an average of 56.72 against the Volts. That haul included a double hundred at Molyneux Park in November last year.
He batted for more than nine hours in that innings and faced 379 balls.
The 29-year-old dug in again yesterday. He put on 77 for the opening wicket with Jeet Raval (29).
It was a sedate start. Otago opted to bowl and, while it was unable to secure an early breakthrough, the bowlers had the run rate under control.
Jarrod McKay got thumped for 13 off his opening over which helped the home side generate some momentum.
McKay did manage to remove Raval after lunch, and Duffy got into the action with three quick scalps.
Bharat Popli (12), Joe Carter (6) and Tim Seifert (5) all nicked off cheaply to the big Southlander.
Northern had slipped to 144 for four.
But Cooper was set and quietly moving towards the milestone, while Colin de Grandhomme was down the other end teeing off as if he had forgotten he was playing four day cricket.
He clobbered Duffy for two sixes and a four from one over. The all-rounder has retired from international cricket, but not from terrifying domestic bowlers with his power game.
Cooper brought up his hundred with a devastating cut shot off McKay prior to tea.
The Volts had a cup of pick-me-up at the break and struck back. De Grandhomme (52 off 38) edged a pull shot, and Scott Kuggeleijn dragged one on to complete Duffy’s five-for.
Then Muller got the critical wicket of Cooper, who half defended, half left a wider delivery. The end result was another catch behind the wicket.
At Eden Park Outer Oval the home team is in a deep pickle at stumps on day two.
Auckland was knocked over for just 75 on the opening day. Doug Bracewell nabbed five for 25 and Tom Bruce stroked 169 to help Central Districts reach 361.
The Aces were 101 for two in their second dig with plenty of work ahead.
Canterbury slumped to 123 all out at the Basin Reserve. Leo Carter top-scored with a modest 36. Wellington seamer Michael Snedden claimed a career-best four for 24, but his side was routed for just 80.
Sean Davey did the damage with five for 23.
OTAGO V NORTHERN DISTRICTS
NORTHERN DISTRICTS
J Raval c Chu b Mckay 29
H Cooper c Cumming b Muller 112
B Popli c Cumming b Duffy 12
J Carter c Chu b Duffy 6
T Seifert c Phillips b Duffy 5
C de Grandhomme c Chu b Duffy 52
S Kuggeleijn b Duffy 8
K Clarke not out 2
N Wagner not out 2
Extras (8b, 1lb, 7w, 2nb) 18
Total (for 7 wickets, 66.5 overs) 246
Fall: 1-77, 2-109, 3-123, 4-144, 5-230, 6-242, 7-242.
Bowling: J Duffy 23-5-81-5 (2w, 2nb), M Rae 14-4-41-0, T Muller 18.5-5-55-1, J Mckay 10-1-55-1 (1w), M Rippon 1-0-5-0.
