Parlane brightens the Hamilton gloom

Only 42.1 overs were possible at WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton on day one of the State Championship match between Northern Districts and Wellington today.

Bad light delayed the start by 35 minutes and persistent light rain ended play at 2.45pm with ND on 103/3.

Michael Parlane was the star of the shortened day with a 67 not out that combined punchy attacking shots with resolute defence.

Wellington skipper Matthew Bell won the toss and had no hesitation in putting ND in. Muggy overhead conditions appeared to be ideal for swing bowling while an emerald green pitch promised easy pickings for the seamers.

Not for the first time, the Hamilton surface was less bowler-friendly than it appeared.

There was movement, but it was not extravagant and had to be earned by putting the ball in exactly the right place. It was not a pitch on which a bowler could simply let the ball go and wait for things to happen.

Even so, batting was tricky in the initial overs. Andrew Penn moved the ball both ways off the pitch, while James Franklin was able to swing it into the right-handers. With the batsmen focusing on survival, Bell was able to go fully on the attack, with six close catchers in place for part of the first session.

James Marshall (three) was first out, edging a Penn delivery that pitched on off stump and left him. David Sales took the catch at ankle height at second slip.

Penn was prepared to bowl a full length to Parlane, knowing that the batsman's attacking instincts would not allow him to resist the temptation.

But it was Parlane who won the first round of the contest with three boundaries in the 11th over, all from drives through the off side. As a result, Penn began to stray towards the leg side, making runs easier to collect.

For Parlane this was a happy return to the State Championship side, having been omitted from the first four rounds after failing to meet fitness targets. As ever, he went after the loose ball whenever possible, hitting most of his 10 fours through the off side.

He was supported in a second wicket partnership of 66 by Matthew Hart, who scored 19 from 86 deliveries before falling lbw to Franklin, pushing across a ball swinging away from him. Apart from a slash outside the off stump that brought him his only four, edged over third slip, Hart concentrated on resolute defence. He displayed a well-judged awareness of the location of his off stump and ensured that wickets did not tumble when batting was at its most difficult.

The third wicket to fall was that of Scott Styris (nine), who casually flicked a catch to Richard Jones at square leg off the bowling of fellow international discard Franklin.

Franklin should have had Hamish Marshall later in the same over. Grant Donaldson got both hands to the ball as he fell to his right at third slip, but could not hold on. Finishing the day with two for 26 from 14 overs, Franklin was the best of the Wellington bowlers. Swinging the ball into the right-handers and away from the left he caused all the batsmen problems.

With the pitch not delivering what it promised in terms of help for the bowlers the Wellington attack was somewhat one-paced. It lacks part-time bowlers who can add a bit of surprise and variety.

Off spinner Jeetan Patel has not been called upon so far.

ND have built a solid platform on which to build a big score tomorrow, if the indifferent weather conditions allow.