Murdoch starts in fine style

Stephen Murdoch has picked up where he left off.

The 26-year-old Karori batsman was last season's leading run-scorer in Wellington's premier grade and looks a good bet to top the class again.

After two false start weekends due to the weather, Murdoch plundered 126 opening the batting against a useful North City attack as Karori won their opening one-day match by 79 runs on Saturday.

Karori backed up with a comprehensive 68-run defeat of Taita in yesterday's opening Twenty20 round.

For Murdoch, it is a continuation of record-breaking form playing for Black Cap Daniel Flynn's former club, Downham Town, in England's Norfolk Alliance Premier League. He scored 1013 league runs at an average of 92.09 including three centuries and a highest score of 153.

"It was good to get a good start, coming off some form in the UK," Murdoch said.

He played five one-dayers for Wellington last season but failed to fire, his top score just 19.

"I had a taste of it last season and I enjoyed it, despite not going as well as I would have liked to," Murdoch said.

"I'm keen to break back into that. I've got to score as many runs as I can and put pressure on the incumbent guys. Having a taste of the environment makes you want to get involved more and more."

Murdoch's century was watched by Wellington coach Anthony Stuart, who was playing down last week's training injury to Firebirds batsman Neal Parlane.

"He's [Parlane] broken the end of his ring finger on his right hand," Stuart said, "but he's been able to hold a bat."

Stuart hoped Parlane would be fit for a two-day Firebirds trial between Wellington and Hutt Valley selections starting on Sunday.

Stuart was impressed with Murdoch's form on Saturday.

"I'm really pleased for him. He's obviously had a pretty good winter and looks in pretty good nick. He's dropped a few kilos and he's trimmed down. He hit the ball really cleanly."

Elsewhere on Saturday, last season's one-day champions Hutt District, Pearce Cup holders Eastern Suburbs and Naenae Old Boys all had convincing one-day wins against Taita, Onslow and University respectively.

Matthew Bell (87), Paul Tunnicliffe (69 not out), Chris Nevin (69), Josh Brodie (68 not out), Scott Golder (65 not out) and Harry Boam (56) were all in the runs.

Norths' left-arm quick Fraser Quarterman had Saturday's best figures of 5-47, while Black Cap Jeetan Patel took 2-19 for Easts.

In other premier Twenty20 results yesterday, Naenae beat Hutt by five wickets, Onslow defeated Norths by 30 runs and Easts won by 53 runs against University.

In the senior competition on Saturday, Johnsonville defeated Collegians by 139 runs thanks to Barry Rhodes (112) and Luke Woodcock (4-4).

Michael Goldsbury (58) and Shane Adair (4-24) helped Petone-Riverside to a 25-run defeat of Wellington College, despite Chamika Gajanayaka's 75.

Karori B thrashed Norths B by 114 runs and Upper Hutt beat Taita B by four wickets.

In Twenty20 action yesterday, Johnsonville beat Wellington College by 47 runs, Taita B defeated Karori B by five wickets and Petone-Riverside were eight-wicket winners over Norths B.

In the women's competition, Collegians beat Hutt by 18 runs despite a fine double from Louise Mahoney (5-35 and 34) while Onslow beat Johnsonville by six wickets.

- © Fairfax NZ News