Central Otago's Barney McSkimming batted five minutes and scored one run in Central Otago's first innings against North Otago in a Cyclone Hawke Cup elimination match played at Molyneux Park over the weekend.
However, with the ball McSkimming's contribution was a major one for he ripped through the North Otago batting line-up wand was instrumental in dismissing North Otago for 135, 120 runs short of Central Otago's first innings.
Without Graeme Johnson's unbeaten 50 the local total would indeed have been a dismal one.
Play was delayed because of rain penetrating the covers and the first ball was bowled about 3.30pm.
North Otago bowlers struck early taking the wickets of openers Dennis Flannery and Ian Rutherford in the early 40s.
Two further wickets fell and at 72 for 4 the balance had swung North Otago's way.
Former Otago left-handed opening bat Geoff Blakely defied the North Otago attack and with a fine innings of 41 took the total through to 134 before he was caught behind of Ian Chapman's bowling.
North Otago clawed its way back into the game taking the wickets of McSkimming and Jeff Mawhinney with the addition of only four further runs but once again the advantage was not rammed home and John Pile and John Wilson set about rebuilding the innings. Pile was eventually out for 46 with the total at 173.
A superb last wicket stand of 82 from Mike Stewart and Ken McKnight killed North Otago's hopes with Stewart in savage form striking six boundaries in his 52 before Chris Taylor nabbed his wicket to end his innings.
The dogged persistence and accuracy of Ian Chapman who was called on to bowl a mammoth 31 overs was rewarded with the fine figures of 6 for 55 while Chris Taylor with his slow left arm off spin bowled 35 overs and took 3 for 46, a fine economical effort.
North Otago had its chances when it opened its innings at a quarter to two on the second day with Central Otago putting down four chances in the field.
The first two wickets fell with only 37 runs on the board but worse was to come for six runs later North Otago lost the wickets of Bruce McGregor and Graeme Ballantyne. Peter Cook was at the crease for 30 minutes before he was dismissed for 5 while Bob Wilson who batted 59 minutes for 14 went, the 6th wicket to fall with the total at 64. Some character returned to the innings when Chris Taylor and Graeme Johnson added 29 for the 7th wicket but then again McSkimming struck taking the wickets of Neville Donaldson and Peter Brown four runs in advance of the hundred. Ian Chapman gave Graeme Johnson excellent support as the pair added the best partnership of the innings putting on 31 for the 10th wicket before Chapman was run out.
Johnson made light of the conditions and the pressure hitting nine boundaries in his unbeaten 50 made 104 minutes.
McSkimming bowled 18 overs and 3 balls to finish with 6 for 46 and that would indeed be an effort which could have well made an impression of the Convenor of the Otago selection panel, Ray Hunt. McSkimming is mature experienced cricketer, one whose selection in the Otago side would be well deserved.
North Otago and Union hard hitting batsman Lindsay Robertson has been included in the Otago Cricket trial teams which will meet in Alexandra from November 25-27.
The teams will be captained by Warren Lees and Garth Dawson and contains 13 metropolitan players, seven Southlanders, two from Central Otago and Robertson from North Otago.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Cyclone Hawke Cup -
North Otago vs Central Otago at Molyneux Park, Alexandra
Central Otago 255 ( M. Steward 52, J. Pyle 46, G. Blakely 41, I. Chapman 6-55, C. Taylor 3-46 )
North Otago 135 ( G. Johnson 50no, R.S. Wilson 14, McSkimming 6-46 )
First innings win to Central Otago