Wellington finish best on shortened day in Dunedin

Wellington had most cause for satisfaction with their position in the State Championship match with Otago.

On a day shortened by bad light, Otago was 209/7 at stumps.

The day began in brilliantly warm and sunny conditions but play did not reflect the weather, tending to be slow throughout.

The early stages of Otago's innings were very cautiously played but even so at lunchtime it would have been their morning with their total at 103/2.

Brendon McCullum, Otago's century scorer of their previous match, scored a useful 31, but nevertheless it was disappointing when he was dismissed due probably to a lapse in concentration.

Andrew Penn did the early damage for Wellington, having Robbie Lawson and McCullum out with the score on 63.

Craig Cumming batted well for 43 but looked set to go on for a big one. The Wellington attack, steady as it was, achieved more than it probably would have hoped on basically what was a good batting wicket with perhaps a little early morning life.

Others in the middle-order all got starts but only Chris Gaffaney carried on.

He played a most uncharacteristic but invaluable innings for Otago being 55 not out after 204 minutes and 148 balls when bad light, and later on heavy rain, put an early end to play for the day at 4.15pm. The potential is still there for Otago to fight a rearguard action as Kerry Walmsley is with Gaffaney on 11 not out.

The bowling for Wellington was nothing more than steady with Matthew Walker two for 40 from 21 overs being the most economical. James Franklin had two for 58 from 20 and Andrew Penn three for 52 from 18.3 overs also bowled competently without being threatening.

Day two should be full of interest as Otago's remaining batsmen will hope to support Gaffaney to go on to achieve a big score while Wellington, conscious of their lowly position with Otago on the points table will be endeavouring to achieve first innings points at least.