Southee's swing puts ND on top

BY SAM WORTHINGTON

Tim Southee produced a masterclass of swing bowling as Northern Districts gained the upper hand on day one of their Plunket Shield match against Wellington in Hamilton.

The 20-year-old took the astonishing figures of 8-27 from 25 overs, knocking the top off Wellington's batting lineup and returning late in the day to mop up the tail.

The eye-catching performance, Southee's best in first-class cricket, will enhance his chances of a call-up to the New Zealand test team.

It took a trio of Wellington left-handers to limit the damage at Seddon Park yesterday.

Cameron Merchant (88), Josh Brodie (69) and Luke Woodcock (58) all managed to get their eye in and despite Southee's heroics, Wellington posted a respectable first innings score of 263.

The rest of Wellington's batsmen were out for single figure scores and competition leaders Northern will resume at 6-0 this morning with BJ Watling and Brad Wilson both three not out.

"I was lucky enough to get the ball swinging for the whole innings and the ball stayed in reasonable nick for the whole innings," a satisfied Southee said last night.

"The wicket was a bit soft early on but as the day went on it got harder and I just managed to get it in the right areas and get a few nicks. And then I came back and got a few at the end."

Southee said it was "the best I've felt for a while" and agreed it was his best bowling performance at first-class level.

"I was very happy with the way it was coming out and I had great rhythm and reaped the rewards with a few wickets."

He was relaxed about whether the effort would see selectors look at him for the remainder of the Pakistan test series.

"I'm just doing what I'm doing for ND and if it happens to get me higher honours then I'll be happy with that. There's great depth in the bowling with the New Zealand side now so everyone's pushing for a spot and trying to keep their spot."

Wellington's worst fears were realised when Northern won the toss and not surprisingly skipper James Marshall chose to bowl for the third straight time.

In the previous two matches the flip of the coin led to Northern's battery of seamers routing Otago for 88 and Central Districts for 94.

And sure enough, Southee smartly removed Wellington captain Matthew Bell (six) and Joseph Yovich took care of Neal Parlane (one).

In-form duo Brodie and Merchant, both coming off hundreds, dug in and Wellington were able to enjoy lunch at 94-2 before Southee struck again.

The fringe Black Cap nicked out both Brodie and Harry Boam (four) to leave Wellington teetering at 116-4 and continuing the latter's rough start to the season.

Merchant and Woodcock went about restoring the innings with an 124-run partnership before Brent Arnel induced an edge from Woodcock.

Southee then did the same first ball to Dewayne Bowden, who recorded his third golden duck of the season.

Merchant's dismissal gave Northern wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan his fifth catch of the innings after last week setting a world record for most catches (12) in a first-class match.

Southee then got bored with finding the edge and shattered the stumps of Wellington tailenders Malaesaili Tugaga (duck) and Michael Burns (four).

Debutant wicketkeeper Joe Austin-Smellie (three) was Southee's last victim.

Wellington offspinner Jeetan Patel flew from Dunedin to Hamilton yesterday after being surplus to New Zealand's test requirements and will replace Burns in the playing XI today.

Wellington coach Anthony Stuart admitted it had been a toss he would have loved to have won.

"We were going to bowl so we were a little bit disappointed to lose the toss," Stuart said.

"But 263, I certainly think we would have taken that and run at the start of the day."

Stuart urged his seam attack of Andy McKay, Tugaga, Bowden and Boam to follow Southee's example.

"Tim bowled really well and we've just got to take a leaf out of his book. Be patient, it swung all day and the new ball seamed as well so we've got to make sure that we use it wisely and give ourselves a chance. Take our catches and 260 is defendable I think. But if we bowl poorly we'll get punished."

- © Fairfax NZ News