Nelson bat first in Hawke Cup cricket qualifier

The Hawke Cup cricket zone three qualifying match between Marlborough and Nelson is evenly-poised after day one at Saxton Oval. The home side are 242-9 overnight, after batting 62 overs on a rain-affected first day.

The start of the match was delayed until 2pm due to wet conditions, Marlborough winning the toss and electing to field.

Left arm paceman Nick Weaver grabbed a couple of early scalps to put early pressure on the home side at 26-2, but a 69-run third wicket partnership between Nic Clark, who scored 55 from 58 balls, and Jonty Raxworthy, 69 from 72, gave Nelson much-needed momentum, the pair pushing the scoring rate up.

Spinners Matthew Stretch, who dismissed Raxworthy, Tom Sutherland and Tim Petrie, with the wicket of Sean Neal for 22, managed to put the brakes on the home side’s scoring, while Weaver kept picking up wickets, taking an outstanding 6-50 from 19 overs. At 213-9 the end looked imminent for the home side but a stubborn unbroken 10^th wicket stand between Ollie Jones-Allen and Mitch Bailey, which contributed another 29 runs, frustrating the Marlborough attack until stumps were drawn.

Weaver, Stretch, Sutherland, Petrie and Joel Lavender all bowled economically to ensure Marlborough are well in the match heading into the second day, which begins at 10.30am.