Matthew Horne, dubbed the forgotten man of New Zealand cricket, continued his return to the limelight with an assertive century for Southern against Pakistan A at Hagley Oval yesterday.
Horne did not get a bat for the Black Caps on its past trip to Bangladesh, via New South Wales, when the team played four one-day matches.
However, since returning to New Zealand and the start of the first-class Conference series, Horne has hardly been out of the middle stringing together scores of 46, 74no, and 132.
Horne's century was matched by Southern and New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming as the pair propelled Southern to the powerful position of 397 for four by stumps from 100 overs batting.
Horne and Fleming shared a 248-run stand for the second wicket in just 210 minutes as the test team-mates indulged in a run-fest, dominating on a docile wicket. It was the second substantial stand between the pair in successive innings with the duo adding 119 unbeaten together for Southern against Central last Saturday.
Horne said the time on the sideline on the last overseas tour had made him run-hungry on his return.
``When I was training while we were away, I felt my game was reasonably solid and being left out might have not been such a bad thing.
``When I started this series I wanted to bat some time and fortunately I have been able to do that.''
Horne had a life on just two when dropped at second slip. He made the Pakistanis pay with his 10th first-class century before being overcome by a tired shot after six and a half hours at the crease. He faced 236 balls and hit 18 fours.
Fleming produced his trademark timing and elegant stroke-play, especially on the drive, as he moved to his 10th first-class century. His chanceless 145 included 24 fours and came from 181 balls and 227 minutes.
Southern started solidly after winning the toss, reaching 82 when the fall of opener Craig Cumming brought together Horne and Fleming. Nathan Astle and Chris Harris were able to maintain the free-scoring momentum with a 50-run stand late in the day and were untroubled by the advent of the second new ball.
Pakistan A's spin bowlers Mohammad Hussain and Wajahatullah Wasti had more success arresting the scoring than the quicker bowlers.
Day 2 Report
by Geoff Longley
At Hagley Oval Pakistan A showed that while its fielding has yet to reach the highest level, its batting could give the Southern side some headaches.
At stumps yesterday Pakistan A was a promising 110 for one from 50 overs, batting against Southern's massive first-innings score of 554, the highest score made on the ground at first-class level.
Southern had resumed at 397 for four, but lost three wickets quickly before Canterbury team-mates Mark Priest and Warren Wisneski combined to thwart the visitors, adding 105 runs for the eight wicket before the stand was ended by a frustrating run out.
The veteran Priest , in his 15th season, compiled his 27th half century as the pair pushed on to a formidable score for Southern to defend.
Pakistan paceman Shahid Nazir and left-arm slow bowler Mohammad Hussain had three wickets apiece, at least some reward for Shahid who had Matthew Horne dropped on two before Horne added another 130.
When Pakistan A batted interest focused on the return of Chris Cairns to the bowling crease after an injury-enforced lay-off.
While mustering handy pace, he was treated with little respect by the Pakistan A opening batsmen Ijaz Mahmood and Wajahatuallah Wasti who took 34 from his six overs, while putting on 117 for the first wicket.
With the faster bowlers providing few problems once the ball lost its shine, Priest and fellow spin bowler Paul Wiseman look set for plenty of overs on today's third day.
Day 3: Groundsman comes out winner
by Geoff Longley
Groundsman Tom O'Carroll is likely to be the biggest winner from the Southern-Pakistan A Conference cricket match, which should end in a draw at Hagley Oval today.
O'Carroll has produced the type of splendid batting strip cricket administrators have been clamouring for in a bid to replicate conditions at test level, a key aim of the Conference series. After three days play Pakistan A was 483 for nine in reply to Southern's 554.
First-innings points still remain undecided, but the odds favour the Southern side with the visitors still needing 72 runs to claim the two first-innings points at stake.
Pakistan A still has some hope with blazing century-maker Mohammad Hussain at the crease, unbeaten on 117, who will be joined by No. 11 Fazal-e-Akbar when play resumes this morning. It will have to counter the Southern side with the third new ball and is keen to wrap up the innings after a sun-drenched day in the field.
Hussain's century, his first at first-class level, was a highlight as he struck the ball boldly. He often had success hitting straight, primarily through the long-off area.
His runs came in just 151 minutes and was studded with a remarkably high number of boundaries, 22 fours and a six. Southern will rue giving him an early let-off before reaching double figures.
Hard-working off-spinner Paul Wiseman made the early inroads, taking three of the first four wickets and deserved his rest last night after wheeling up 61 overs of tidy off spin during the innings so far.
Pakistan A slipped to 170 for four after Wiseman's incisions but then Akhtar and Taimoor Khan got together for a fifth-wicket stand of 121.
Another three wickets fell in relatively quick succession to leave the visitors 340 for seven and the follow-on still a possibility. But Hussain and Shahid Nazir ended any thoughts of that by carrying Pakistan past that target.