Ripley content with his side’s position at the midway point

The hosts, in response to the visitors’ 452, closed on 200-3 needing 103 to make them bat again and head coach Ripley considered that to make up a good day’s work.

He said: “It wasn’t quite the plan we had this morning when we gathered.

“We wanted a couple of early wickets with a newish ball in our hands to try and keep them to about 340 by knocking over the tail.

“The passage of play either side of lunch we looked a little bit tired and the game drifted away from us a little bit.

“What was important was that when we batted we stopped the momentum and batted well and we did that.

“Stephen (Peters) and James (Middlebrook) put on 50 at a good rate in some style and we moved on from there.

“The only disappointing thing has been the lads getting in and then getting out.

“It would’ve been nice to have someone sitting there on 80 or 90 not out but I think we’ve got to be happy with the position that we’re in.”

The runs were shared around with Peters and Kyle Coetzer passing 50 and Middlebrook falling just shy of the same mark and while Ripley praised their efforts, he reserved a word for Rob Newton who is playing his first senior game since damaging ankle ligaments last June.

“He’s had a good winter and he’s got himself a lot fitter,” Ripley added.

“He had a disappointing trip to the West Indies where he was ill and then he broke his finger before we started so he’s had a bit of a bad trot and he’s been bursting a gut to get back out there..

“He’s still got a broken thumb so it’s a good effort from him and he’s a very dangerous player for us in four-day cricket.”