Cricket: Taranaki secure first innings against Whanganui

By securing a first innings lead of 103 runs and gaining maximum batting and bowling points, Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki accrued a valuable 13 points in the Furlong Cup match against Cricket Whanganui at Pukekura Park in the weekend.

In a bizarre twist, in an endeavour to grab an extra three points for an outright win, Taranaki made a very generous declaration which asked Whanganui to score 212 runs in 40 overs in their second innings, which they did in only 33 overs.

This saw Whanganui gain 11 points for the game with the outright meaning they could add six points to their five bonus points.

Although disappointing for the home side not to pick up a further three, it was still a game that they dominated right up until the last session, when Whanganui batsman Tom Dempster blasted his way to 104 not out, which meant he had raised his bat twice in a day for scoring a century, after hitting an accomplished 106 in the first dig.

Taranaki lost the toss and were put in on a slightly tacky surface caused by rain the previous day. Bailey Wisnewski (97) (pictured) and Rupert Young (78) batted brilliantly and put on 175 for the second wicket which set the foundation for a total of 331-8.

Trent McGrath chimed in with a polished 50 while Jordan Gard (20*) and Ryan Watson (19) rushed things along at the end allowing a declaration after 83 overs.

Whanganui’s reply of 228 was highlighted by Dempster’s 106 and a hard hitting 37 from veteran Chris Sharrock.

At one stage with Dempster and Sharrock in full swing things were looking good for the Whanganui boys, but some clever bowling, first of all with spinner Liam Carr beating Sharrock with flight, had him hitting a high catch to Dean Robinson, and soon after the lunch break the wily Trent McGrath, also a left arm spinner, with much guile, tempted Dempster forward and he edged it to the safe hands of Ryan Watson at first slip.

Medium fast bowler Jordan Gard then wrapped up the innings with Gard bowling an impressive 22 overs and finishing with figures of 4 wickets for 38 runs.

Watson’s figures were 2-34, Carr had 2-56 and McGrath’s cunning deliveries saw him finish with 2-8.

With 103 run lead Taranaki batted with gay abandon in their second innings in the desire to set a total to bowl at, and give themselves time to bowl Whanganui out in their second innings.

Liam Muggeridge was the best of the batsmen scoring 41 from 26 balls in a slightly disappointing total of 107-9. Gard’ 23 not out from 12 balls was also a little gem.

At this stage of the game the wicket had flattened out to a docile batsman’s paradise and Whanganui made good use of the conditions.

Dempster carried on with the same ease he had displayed in the first innings, and was aided by skipper Greg Smith who fluently stroked 66 before falling to debutant Chris Logan, giving Logan his first provincial wicket. 

So there it was. Whanganui were given the opportunity and they took it. This result meant Taranaki collected 13 points to Whanganui’s 11.