Murdoch continues strong form with century
THE Stephen Murdoch run-scoring machine is back in action for another season.
The Wellington Firebirds batsman scored 998 runs last season and notched up his first century of the new campaign on day three of his side’s Plunket Shield match against Central Districts yesterday.
His 171 is his highest first-class score, trumping 155 not out against Canterbury last year, and included 27 fours and four sixes on a good batting pitch at Saxton Oval in Nelson.
‘‘It’s a pretty quick outfield – you just try to hit the gaps and the ball runs away,’’ Murdoch said.
‘‘I was just trying to keep it pretty simple, hit the middle of the bat and find the gaps and hopefully the ball would run away to the boundary.’’
The knock helped his side reach 353-5 dec in reply to CD’s 385, as the Firebirds grabbed the maximum eight first-innings points.
They had been
frustrated
onSaturday, when they reduced CD to 251-9 before George Worker and Andrew Mathieson (12 not out) put on 134 for the 10th wicket – a Stags record.
Worker scored 210 and worked well with the No 11, but the Firebirds dropped him three times, including a tough chance in the first over of the day which could have dramatically changed the outcome of the match.
After the Firebirds declared on day three 32 runs behind, CD reached 169-4 at stumps thanks to half-centuries to Ben Smith and Kruger van Wyk.
It will be an intriguing day four on Monday, as CD look to build on their 201 run lead.
Murdoch said all three results were still in play. ‘‘We’ll come out tomorrow morning and try to take a couple of wickets and get into their middle order, but likewise they will want to conserve wickets and see what position they can get themselves into.’’
Murdoch’s ton followed 97 runs in the Firebirds’ first game against Northern Districts, taking his season total to 268.
Murdoch said he was happy to start the season so well.
‘‘It’s always a bit of a test trying to put that consistency together. It’s what batsman strive for, so coming off a decent year last year the goal was to back it up with more of the same.
‘‘It’s still very early days in the season but it’s nice to get off to a good start and head in the right direction.’’
He had set a goal of scoring a double century this season, so was disappointed not to reach the mark.
‘‘It wasn’t to be today but hopefully I get myself into a position at some stage this season to push on and get to that 200 mark.’’
Auckland have shot clear at the top of the table after their second outright win, this time over ND.
Auckland were set 233 to win in a low-scoring match at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui, and made it there with three wickets to spare thanks to 50s from Rob Nicol, Colin de Grandhomme and Colin Munro.
Canterbury looked to push for an outright win on day two against Otago in Christchurch. They have a lead of 474 with eight second-innings wickets in hand after dismissing Otago for 91 in their first innings.