State Wellington Firebirds captain Matthew Bell did his best to make up for lost time against State Championship rivals State Canterbury Wizards today.
Bell hit his stride early in scoring 88 not out as the Firebirds ended a heavily truncated first day of the four-day fixture on 155 for two at the Basin Reserve in the capital.
The former international had spent much of the day under cover as the two teams sheltered from the rain, which eventually allowed just 47 of the scheduled 100 overs to be bowled.
Play did not get underway until 3pm, but Bell immediately set about the bowling, feasting on some wayward early offerings in blustery conditions from left-armer Michael Davidson to ensure Wellington made a positive start.
Five of Bell's first six scoring shots went to the boundary as he struck 10 fours to speed to his 50 off 65 balls while opening partner Josh Brodie played the support role.
The scoring rate slowed as the Wizards bowlers finally found the appropriate channels but Wellington still passed 100 without loss in the 33rd over, by which stage Brodie's contribution was 32.
Brodie, who debuted for the province last summer, added another eight runs before Canterbury made the breakthrough when he was trapped leg before wicket by seamer Brandon Hiini with the total on 112.
Neal Parlane came and went quickly, offering a thin edge behind off Leighton Burtt without scoring, before BJ Crook accompanied his captain to stumps on 21.
Hiini was the pick of the bowlers, battling into a strong wind to give away just 16 runs off his 10 overs, seven of which were maidens.
