The Canterbury Wizards secured first innings points as the rain affected match against the Wellington Firebirds petered out to a draw at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Wellington, bowled out for 214 in their first innings, had Canterbury in trouble at 141 for seven. But Andrew Ellis (41) and Brandon Hiini (28) dug in and built a 69 run partnership that handed Canterbury the two first innings points.
The second inning for the home team was more successful as they put on 262 with Cameron Merchant the best falling one short of his maiden First-Class century.
A determined 85 not out from Kruger van Wyk steadied the Canterbury Wizards second innings as they wavered slightly before the match meandered to a close.
Van Wyk came to the crease with the score on 69 for five, but when stumps were drawn the threat had been extinguished.
The match was dominated by the seam bowlers with Wellington’s Iain O’Brien taking a match haul of six for 112 with fellow opening bowler Andy McKay picking up five for 89. For the visitors Chris Martin returned seven for 103 across the two innings with Leighton Burtt claiming six for 102.
Day 3: Wellington 201 for 7, lead Canterbury by 193
The Canterbury Wizards took their overnight score from 139 for six to 222 through to sneer the first innings points against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.
A 69 run partnership for the eight wicket between Andrew Ellis (41) and Brandon Hiini (28) was key to securing the two points after the visitors were looking shaky at 141 for seven.
Firebirds stike bowler Iain O’Brien took five for 75 with Any McKay picking up three for 47.
In reply, Wellington are 201 for seven giving them an overall lead of 193.
The total is largely thanks to Cameron Merchant who struck 99 off 150 balls before being dismissed by Leighton Burtt.
Burtt went on to take three for 46 with fellow opening bowler Chris Martin taking two for 49.
Day 2: Canterbury Wizards 139, trail Wellington Firebirds by 75
Canterbury took their overnight score of 29 for one through to 139 for six in a rain affected day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
It was a day dominated by the Firebirds seam attack with Iain O’Brien taking three for 55, Dewayne Bowden two for 45 and Andy McKay one for 23.
A number of Canterbury batsmen got starts but failed to kick on. Rob Nicol has been the best so far with 38.
Kruger van Wyk and Andrew Ellis will resume tomorrow, still 75 runs behind Wellington’s first innings total.
Day 1: Canterbury Wizards 29 for one, trail Wellington by 185
The Wellington Firebirds made 214 after winning the toss and electing to bat in the match against the Canterbury Wizards at the Basin Reserve.
It was all going well for the home side with the first wicket partnership yielding 53 and the second 65, but the wicket of Neal Parlane for 36 sparked a collapse that saw them lose their last nine wickets for 96 runs.
Opener Josh Brodie was in good touch making 66 with the other Wellington batsmen failing to make an impression.
BLACKCAPS and Canterbury fast bowler Chris Martin was the best of the bowling attack taking four for 35 with Brandon Hiini finishing with three for 34.
Wellington got an early break through with Iain O’Brien blowing opener Michael Papps in the first over. Rob Nicol (11) and Peter Fulton (14) will resume tomorrow for Canterbury on 29 for one.
