**Otago nets batting ace **](http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2003/MAR/156101_PRESS_13MAR2003.html)
**Discovered by Otago cricket on the Internet, Pakistani import Mohammad Wasim is fast becoming one of the side’s greatest assets. **
Wasim produced a fine century to help Otago to a strong position in its State Championship match against Canterbury at Hagley Oval yesterday.
At the end of the second day the visitor already had a first-innings lead of 22 with six wickets in hand, scoring around three runs an over for most of the day.
Otago reached 268 for four, boosted by an unbroken stand of 73 between Marcel McKenzie (41) and Peter McGlashan (38).
Wasim earlier hit 108 in a 4hr innings of 173 balls, marked by a combination of exquisite timing and strong wristwork which brought 20 fours.
Three of the boundaries came from majestic lofted drives off consecutive balls in a rare assault on Canterbury leg-spinner Aaron Redmond, who was able to extract some dust-accompanied turn.
The right-handed opener was finally dismissed on the second ball after tea when Canterbury captain Gary Stead brought on his seventh bowler of the innings.
Young medium-pacer Neil Broom took his maiden wicket in first-class cricket when Wasim was caught behind edging a wide one.
Recruited by Otago after anonymously advertising his wares on the net, Wasim scored his second century for the province and brought his season tally to 568 runs at 40. He now has 13 centuries in all, including two test 100s for Pakistan.
He was dropped off Warren Wisneski on 96 after Paul Wiseman leapt for a high ball at backward point and juggled it three or four times.
Wasim was unaware that he was in the 90s at the time, saying that he never looked at the scoreboard.
He had been looking forward to this game after “not getting too many runs in maybe three innings”.
While pretty happy to get a good score, Wasim was disappointed not to “get a big 100” and still be there when Otago secured the first innings lead.
“I struggled in the beginning with the new ball – it was doing a bit,” Wasim said, adding that he thought the bowlers might have used the pitch better.
“I think they bowled a bit too wide and occasionally short as well.”
The 25-year-old Wasim’s wife comes from London but he still struggled to adjust to the weather when he first joined Otago.
“It was too cold for me – I had to wear like six jumpers all the time.”
A previous tourist twice with Pakistan teams, Wasim also found the pitches low and slow but said he “worked on the technical stuff” with Otago coach Glenn Turner.
“Now, I’m feeling quite comfortable.”