Game nicely set up after first day — Volts coach

Angus McKenzie, of the Otago Volts, follows a delivery closely during their match against the Auckland Aces at the University of Otago Oval yesterday. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Dot, dot, ding.

Otago bowled well in patches but offered enough of the other type of stuff for Auckland to slip through to 325 for nine declared on day one of the Plunket Shield match at the University Oval yesterday.

The visitors made a calculated declaration late in the day, leaving the Volts and debutant opener Jacob Cumming to face five tricky overs in gloomy conditions.

The 18-year-old left his first four deliveries in first-class cricket but chased the fifth and got an edge, leaving the Volts eight for one at stumps.

Despite the late setback and some loose bowling here and there, Otago coach Dion Ebrahim was happy enough with his side’s effort in its first Plunket Shield match since November.

"It would have been nice to contain them to under 300 but maybe that was being a little bit greedy," he said.

"I thought our bowlers did a fantastic job in their first game back in a couple of months.

"We missed [our line and length] a bit too often but all and all the game is nicely set up."

Otago seamer Travis Muller got the opening breakthrough. He pushed one wider and got it to nip away.

There was no earthly reason for Will O’Donnell to play at it excepted he had shuffled across and fished at it anyway.

Mitch Renwick gobbled up the catch at first slip.

That brought Glen Phillips to the middle and the Black Cap showed his intent immediately. He flashed his second delivery over the slips but also connected with some early drives.

Then he took to Jacob Duffy, swinging him away for a six and guiding him down to third man for four.

The aggressive right-hander kept up the tempo. Muller disappeared for a six and Jarrod McKay got hit for three fours in his opening over.

The third brought up Phillips’ half century from just 30 balls.

Mercy, that was a quick. Too quick. An hour into the match and the Volts would have been regretting their decision to field first.

Angus McKenzie was getting a little shape at least. While pitching it up to Phillips was fraught with danger, it was a wicket ball when George Worker was on strike.

The left-hander had limped to nine runs from 65 balls before he was lured into a drive off the next ball and gifted keeper Max Chu a simple catch.

It was hard to know who was more relieved — Otago because it had a second wicket or Worker because the pain was over.

Emboldened by his success, McKenzie got a delivery to jag back and rise on Phillips, who took a nasty blow on the wrist.

Phillips had been cracking everything but played for swing next ball and got a faint edge. Gone for a dazzling 61.

McKenzie’s spell of two for 17 from eight overs had dragged his side back into the contest.

Auckland resumed after lunch on 98 for four and eased into its work.

Ben Horne, of the Aces, gets into position to sweep as Volts keeper Max Chu looks on.

Mark Chapman was batting in bursts. He blazed four consecutive fours off McKay but also saw off a lot of dot balls.

He combined with Ben Horne in a stand of 113 for the fifth wicket. Horne was bowled between his legs — yes, he was nutmegged — for 45.

Michael Rippon got the breakthrough but it was not one of the great shots. Part swipe, part sweep and an equal portion of ugly.

Chapman continued to sit tight and wait on boundary balls as he moved closer to posting his fifth first class century.

But on 97 he sliced a half volley to gully. McKay got some reward on a tough day when he went for more than six an over.

A niggly unbroken last wicket stand between Will Somerville and Ben Lister of 59 got the side past 300,

Somerville teed off, swatting Duffy for a couple of sixes and a four to help himself to 60 — his highest first-class score.

Wet weather in Hamilton (Northern Districts v Wellington) and Rangiora (Canterbury and Central Districts) resulted in both Ford Trophy fixtures abandoned without a toss made.

The teams will try again at the same venues tomorrow.

PLUNKET SHIELD

AUCKLAND

G Worker c Chu b McKenzie 9

W O'Donnell c Renwick b Muller 0

G Phillips c Chu b McKenzie 61

M Chapman c Kelly b Mckay 97

R O'Donnell c Chu b Duffy 5

B Horne b Rippon 45

S Solia b Rippon 16

W Somerville not out 60

S Keene c Chu b Mckay 6