Phillips, Rutherford provide only highlights in dull draw

Dale Phillips scored an undefeated 97 in Otago’s final act this season.

While that deserved a round of applause, the Volts stumbled their way to a rain-assisted draw against Canterbury in Rangiora.

Play did not get under way until 2pm and the visitors quickly found themselves in a tight spot.

Nightwatchman Ben Lockrose went quickly.

Jacob Cumming (13) was not able to build on his start, and Max Chu was bowled for a duck.

The Volts had slumped from 107 for three overnight to 153 for six.

Phillips held the innings together with his fine knock, but was denied the opportunity to notch a fourth first-class century when poor light, then rain, brought play and Otago’s season to a close.

Otago was 169 for six and had a slim lead of 57.

Phillips scored a valuable 63 in the first innings and helped the Volts beat Wellington with a fine knock of 114 in the previous match.

Yesterday’s knock took him past 1000 first-class runs.

Otago captain Hamish Rutherford also brought up a milestone during the game. He has now scored more than 5000 first-class runs for Otago.

Personal highlights aside, Canterbury will count itself unlucky not to have picked up an outright win.

Ultimately, too many overs were lost to poor light and weather interruptions.

The final day’s play between Northern Districts and Central Districts in Whangarei was called off due to several players testing positive for Covid-19.

Auckland now has an unassailable lead at the top of the Plunket Shield standings.

Meanwhile, the Hundred draft has attracted more than 250 overseas players from 16 countries. The draft will take place behind closed doors on April 4.

A lot of the names will be familiar. There are your David Warners and Andre Russells, but also a long list of domestic cricketers hoping for a break.

Black Caps Finn Allen, Mitchell Santner, Will Young and new Otago recruit Glenn Phillips have set their reserve at £60,000. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are asking £50,000 minimum, while Matt Henry’s reserve is £40,000.

Otago cricketers Jacob Duffy, Nick Kelly, Phillips, Michael Rippon and Hamish Rutherford have entered the draft with no reserve.

The recently retired Neil Broom has also put his name forward alongside Dean Foxcroft and one-season Volt Mitchell McClenaghan.

Former Otago A and Netherlands opener Max O’Dowd and newly minted Black Cap Michael Bracewell are among the hopefuls with connections to Otago as well.

Colin De Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher, Robbie O’Donnell, Tim Seifert, Henry Shipley and Ish Sodhi round out a strong contingent of New Zealanders keen to give the format a crack.

OTAGO

First innings 257

CANTERBURY

First innings 369

OTAGO

Second innings

H Rutherford lbw b Davey 21

M Renwick lbw b Sheat 0

D Phillips not out 97

N Kelly b Williams 20

B Lockrose c Hay b Williams 1

J Cumming c Williams b O'Rourke 13