Volts staring down barrel of big defeat

Zak Foulkes. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

That's all Foulkes.

Canterbury all-rounder Zak Foulkes took five for 47 to help skittle Otago for 117 in Rangiora on Saturday.

He then chipped in with a hard-hit 35 as the home team posted 331 in their first innings to lead by 214 runs.

The Volts had slumped to 169 for six in their second dig by stumps last night and still need another 45 runs to make Canterbury bat again.

Foulkes grabbed another two wickets to go with his first innings haul.

On Saturday, Otago collapsed from 62 for two to be all out for under 120.

That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the innings. They were just out-gunned by the Canterbury bowling attack.

Foulkes led the way.

He nabbed his second first-class five wicket bag.

The 22-year-old right-armer made his international debut for the Black Caps this year and looks a player with a very bright future.

He gets the ball to swing and nip about and started by removing opener Jacob Cumming for 15. He came around the wicket and Cumming misjudged the line and was bowled shouldering arms.

Dean Foxcroft was his next victim. The former Otago captain got an inside edge into his pad and was caught and bowled.

Foulkes curled that delivery in plenty.

The left-handed Leo Carter edged an outswinger to second slip for eight.

Travis Muller got yorked and bowled for a duck.

And Jacob Duffy was wicket No 5 for Foulkes.

He slapped back a drive and the bowler stuck the catch.

It was a quality performance by rookie right-armer Cameron Paul as well. He took three for 19 from five overs.

In-form opener Rhys Mariu clipped 87 from 117 balls to help the home team build a huge first innings lead.

Keeper Mitchell Hay added 81 in a patient knock, while former Volts wrist spinner Michael Rippon scored a valuable 45.

And Foulkes clubbed two sixes and four fours in a nice cameo.

Otago captain Luke Georgeson shone with the ball as well. He took three for 45 from 15 overs.

Muller and Jarrod McKay grabbed three each as well.

But Canterbury had a big lead and Otago fell away in their second knock.

Carter counterattacked with 57 from 50 balls.

And Max Chu (30 not out) and Georgeson (15 not out) have added 41 for the seventh wicket, but Otago have a lot more work ahead.

At Bay Oval, Central Districts all-rounder Will Clark claimed a maiden first-class five-wicket bag (five for 62) and notched a maiden first-class century (109) to help Central Districts to a 187-run first-innings lead. Northern Districts were 23 for none in their second innings.

The match between Auckland (329) and Wellington (318 for nine) at Eden Park Outer Oval is evenly balanced.

Wellington leg-spinner Peter Younghusband took a career-best eight for 127. His team-mate, Nick Kelly, scored 131, while Auckland opener Sean Solia (170 not out) became the fifth player to carry his bat through an innings for Auckland.