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Darren Sammy has pointed to Michael Hussey’s wicket as the most critical for the hosts as they attempt to secure a share of the Test series

Daniel Brettig in Roseau23-Apr-2012West Indies captain Darren Sammy has pointed to Michael Hussey’s wicket as the most critical for the hosts as they attempt to secure a share of the Test series with Australia in Dominica to match the ledgers of this tour’s ODI and Twenty20 encounters.In a low-scoring series so far defined by the difficulty of scoring rapid runs on slow surfaces, Hussey’s contribution at No. 6 carries far more resonance than the mere numbers, a hard-won 177 runs at 44.25. Sammy said that while he was happy with how his bowlers – Kemar Roach especially – had fulfilled the plans drawn up by the coach Ottis Gibson to restrict Australia’s top order, Hussey’s recurring rearguards had to be stopped if the West Indies are to win at Windsor Park.”Hussey has always come in and played a crucial role, and that is one area we are looking to put a stop to,” Sammy said. “Once we get them five down, he seems to bat well with the lower order, so we’ll be looking to get him out as quickly as possible.”We’ve executed our plans to the top order really well and I know they’re wary of Roach. The first time he played against them they were and now he’s even bowling better. Fidel [Edwards] bowled well without any luck [in Trinidad] and I come in and do my role, [Shane] Shillingford had a good Test, so as a bowling unit I’m quite happy with the way we’ve gone in this series.”Edwards remains a doubtful starter due to a sore back, Sammy and the selectors conscious of the fact that the end of this series is swiftly followed by the tour of England, while Edwards has been ever present in the West Indian Test bowling attack over the past 12 months.”We’re still monitoring him, Fidel is still optimistic that he’s going to play,” Sammy said. “We’ll monitor it, speak to the physio and Fidel and by tomorrow morning we should have a definite on his situation.”The selectors will take into consideration that we’ve got to keep our bowlers fresh, especially Fidel, who had a long two-year break from the game and since he’s been back we’ve been playing a lot of cricket. So we take that into consideration, we have Ravi Rampaul waiting in the wings who was really good for us last year, and I know he’s itching to get another opportunity.”Windsor Park’s pitch has a little more grass coverage than the bare strips witnessed in Barbados and Trinidad, while batsmen on both sides were impressed on match eve by the pace, bounce and trueness of one of the other centre wickets used for training. Sammy said the surface would provide more encouragement to both batsmen and bowlers than either of the previous two pitches.”It has a little more grass, the ball will do something early,” Sammy said. “I played a four-day game against Guyana here and on the third day it was really good for batting. I expect it to be a good wicket, bowlers and batsmen will be happy. Both teams are looking to win so it should be a very exciting game on a good cricket pitch.”Sammy’s desire to build a more robust culture around his team has made great strides, and the incentive offered by a drawn series is significant, not having been achieved by the West Indies against Australia since an endlessly watchable encounter in 1999. It would also match the efforts of the ODI and T20 teams, and send the team to England with ever more optimism.”It would mean everything to us,” Sammy said of securing a 1-1 result. “When Australia came here everybody didn’t give us a chance, but we’ve played a brand of cricket that we want to get used to. That said we’ve still got to get the victories and that’s what we’re looking for. To level a series against Australia would be another stepping stone for us.”It’s a culture we’re trying to build in the team, the belief we can win against higher-ranked opposition. It’s slowly creeping in. In all three series we’ve displayed that type of attitude. Change sometimes it is difficult to accept and now the players are making a conscious effort to think more about their cricket and what it means to the Caribbean people, and we’re looking to display that sort of attitude.”The West Indies players will be reminded strongly of what their performances mean, by what are expected to be packed crowds at the ground, despite the match being played across the working week.Edited by Kanishkaa Balachandran

Ravi Bopara batted at No. 8 with a runner in a bid to prove his England fitness as Essex and Kent failed to contrive a positive result

Charles Randall at Chelmsford12-May-2012
ScorecardMark Pettini was the only Essex batsman to master the conditions•Getty Images

It would have been funny if it had not been so serious for Ravi Bopara, a man with almost-certainly dashed England hopes. He batted today with a runner for just over an hour and a half, ran himself out in classic village green style and did not appear in the field for the fag end of this Division Two stalemate.Although Essex were optimistic about Bopara’s ability to be fit for the first Test against West Indies, starting at Lord’s on Thursday, the evidence of his innings suggested England would be unwise to take the gamble. He suffered a “slight tear” to his right thigh in the field on Friday and though he batted for his team, at No. 8, in pursuit of bonus points, his discomfort was clear.During an over in the morning Essex had four batsmen on the square while Bopara and Alviro Petersen used runners, a rare occurrence for a partnership at first-class level, perhaps in any cricket. Bopara looked far from sprightly when he instinctively moved into a run with a midwicket stroke off Ivan Thomas and pulled up with a ghastly stagger. After some scurried runs seemingly in all directions, and five balls without any real mishap, both batsmen sent off their assistants – though Bopara was publicly persuaded to change his mind by the Essex physio Chris Clarke-Irons. So Greg Smith trotted back on, while Petersen, hobbling on a sore ankle, did his best without Tom Westley.With no sign of declarations or targets, Essex’s innings creaked along, owing just about all momentum to Mark Pettini. The last three wickets fell for no runs when Charlie Shreck picked up two in two and Bopara ran himself out, finally forgetting his runner. Bopara pushed a Mark Davies delivery into the covers and set off for the single, reaching ‘safety’ at the other end along with his runner before realising he should have stayed at the crease. Kent did not spot their opportunity until Shreck screamed at his colleagues to get the ball back to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, who removed the bails at leisure.Pettini, seeking his first Championship hundred for three seasons, batted exceptionally well, though he struggled to score against the constant probing by Davies, the pick of the Kent attack. Resuming on 61, Pettini cut effectively, concentrated well and look set for his much-needed century when Thomas seamed one back into him to win an lbw shout and the innings tailed off after that.Thomas, 20, impressed as a Championship rookie with more whip in his action than one might think. He has had first-class experience with Leeds-Bradford University this season, including the destruction of a callow Sussex side, when he took 6 for 21 in the second innings in Leeds. A memorable maiden wicket for Kent came courtesy of a flying goalkeeper catch in the covers by Brendon Nash, clinging to a full-blooded cut by Essex’s captain James Foster.Both counties harbour expectations of climbing out of this division, but it was a shame that some sort of arrangement could not be reached. Kent, 131 ahead overnight, might have persuaded Essex to chase something as they held some aces in Davies, Shreck and the England offspinner James Tredwell. Thomas could also have been added to the mix on an easing, but still helpful, Chelmsford strip.With Bopara and Petersen unfit, Essex’s batting looked depleted. “The problem with declaring overnight would have been forfeiting batting points, though as it turned out we didn’t get any,” Foster said. “We weren’t expecting to get only 181; we were hoping to get 350. A chase would have been quite a risk as the ball was nibbling about.”Rob Key felt he lost “a horror” of a toss and was elated that his Kent side had gained a first innings lead after their collapse to 9 for 5, thanks mainly to a superb century by Darren Stevens. As so often in county cricket, the effort of fighting back seemed to inflate the fear of defeat. “It was so wet on the first day and by the end it was so dry,” Key said. “We thought it was going to be hard work trying to set up a game. I felt we would have to throw up so many and we would only have two sessions, if that, to bowl. The pitch didn’t deteriorate enough to make it interesting. Essex would have been able to block out, so that the result was either a win for them or a draw.”

Herschelle Gibbs thrashed an unbeaten 83 off 58 balls as Durham beat Derbyshire by eight wickets

27-Jun-2012
ScorecardHerschelle Gibbs scored his second half-century in three games•Getty Images

Herschelle Gibbs thrashed an unbeaten 83 off 58 balls as Durham beat Derbyshire by eight wickets with 17 balls to spare in Wednesday night’s Friends Life t20 match at Chester-le-Street.Derbyshire’s 131 for 7 was more than had looked likely for most of their innings but 45 came off the last four overs as former Durham player Garry Park made an unbeaten 29 off 20 balls.Derbyshire chose to bat on a cloudy evening and took 10 off the first over but needed a further four overs to double that tally, while losing two wickets. Wes Durston pulled Chris Rushworth to Ben Stokes on the square leg boundary, while Graham Onions conceded only two runs in his first two overs and struck with his ninth ball.He swung the ball away from left-hander Ross Whiteley, who followed it and edged to Phil Mustard, recording a five-ball duck. Usman Khawaja and skipper Wayne Madsen put on 52 in eight overs before spinners Gareth Breese and Scott Borthwick both struck with their sixth ball.Khawaja was well caught just inside the long-on boundary by Onions for 33, made off 38 balls, then Chesney Hughes went down the pitch and was bowled by Borthwick. Madsen had made 27 off 30 balls when he skied a straight drive off Borthwick and Johann Myburgh ran in from long-on to hold a well judged catch.Jon Clare boosted the total with a swift 17, but it was plain sailing for the Durham openers as Gibbs and Mustard had 60 on the board after seven overs before spinner David Wainwright applied a brake.With the opening stand worth 70 in nine overs, Mustard went down the pitch and was stumped for 35 as Wainwright conceded only eight runs in his first three overs. Dale Benkenstein made seven off 12 balls before driving Hughes to long-off but Gibbs hurried Durham home.He had seven fours in his 42-ball half-century then added three sixes, two of them off Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.

The first World Cricket League ODI was abandoned without a ball bowled despite pleasant conditions at Clontarf

Ger Siggins at Clontarf04-Jul-2012Ireland v Afghanistan – Match Abandoned
The first World Cricket League ODI was abandoned without a ball bowled despite pleasant conditions at Clontarf. Ireland and Afghanistan share the points which gives the home side a one point lead over UAE at the top of the table.Despite a balmy day in north Dublin, and a stiff drying breeze, the inundation of the previous week had taken its toll on the outfield. The umpires suggested to the players that they remain in their hotel till noon as the ground remained sodden after heavy rain hit the ground in mid-afternoon on Tuesday.The Irish physio remained buoyant, although he denied that he has been more concerned with trench foot than hamstrings this week.The run-ups at the Killester End were the problem on the original date, and their condition appeared to have worsened on the reserve day. The noon inspection led the umpires to resolve to meet again at 2pm, by which they decided that there was no chance of the run-ups drying sufficiently by 4.40pm to allow a 20-over game.Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: “The run ups were too wet, it was the correct decision by the umpires. It’s a good pouint for us, and it puts the Afghans under pressure. I fancy our chances over 50 overs, a shortened game is more to their advantage.”The doughty Clontarf groundstaff were hopeful that the weather would remain fine in the evening to allow the second World Cup qualifier to take place on Thursday. With most of Ireland’s home fixtures set to move to the new Malahide arena next summer, the Clontarf club is keen to say goodbye to international cricket in something more than a damp whimper.

Hampshire batsman Neil McKenzie made light of bowler-friendly conditions to frustrate Gloucestershire on the second day of their Division Two match

07-Aug-2012
ScorecardHampshire batsman Neil McKenzie made light of bowler-friendly conditions to frustrate Gloucestershire on the second day of their Division Two match. Facing a youthful seam attack in the cold and damp, the 36-year-old served up defiance aplenty to post an unbeaten half-century as Hampshire reached 104 for 2 in reply to Gloucestershire’s 271 on a rain-interrupted day in which 63 overs were lost.Adopting attack as the best form of defence, McKenzie helped himself to nine boundaries on his way to 52 not out from 84 balls and shared in a stand of 79 for the second wicket with Bilal Shafayat to suggest promotion-chasing Hampshire can build a significant first-innings lead in improving overhead conditions when play resumes on Wednesday.Recruited as a short-term replacement for the injured Michael Carberry, the former South Africa international was picked ahead of young England Lions batsman James Vince, to the disappointment of chairman of selectors, Geoff Miller, who travelled on to Old Trafford to monitor other prospects rather than remain in Bristol.Given that Hampshire’s priority is to achieve promotion back to Division One, the decision to include the experienced McKenzie at the top of the order made sense and he more than justified his selection.The right-hander was unfazed by the low cloud and light drizzle that proved such a deterrent to spectators. Prepared to bide his time and wait for the bad ball, McKenzie proved especially strong on the leg side, opting to take the game to Gloucestershire’s bowlers after Jimmy Adams had departed for 9, caught behind fending at a rising delivery from Ian Saxelby.Quite content to drop anchor and see off the new ball, Shafayat served as a perfect foil, grafting his way to 20 from 51 balls. Desperate to break the partnership, Gloucestershire skipper Alex Gidman called on Benny Howell and the former Hampshire player duly obliged, having Shafayat held by Rob Nicol at second slip off his 14th delivery.Sensing an opportunity to apply pressure, Gloucestershire were then frustrated by the rain, which caused play to be abandoned for the rest of the day.Resuming on 265 for 8, Gloucestershire’s tail offered precious little resistance when play finally began after a delay of 45 minutes in the morning. Richard Coughtrie represented the home side’s last chance of garnering a third batting bonus point and he had added just three runs to his overnight score when he was pinned lbw by James Tomlinson for 26.Kabir Ali had David Payne caught behind in the very next over to wrap up the innings, the former England seamer finishing with figures of 3 for 69.

Usain Bolt has spoken of his desire to play in the Big Bash League this year, and the Melbourne Stars are keeping the door open to potentially sign him

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2012Usain Bolt has spoken of his desire to play in the Big Bash League this year, and the Melbourne Stars are keeping the door open to potentially sign him. The possibility was first raised in June when Bolt was interviewed on Australian TV by Eddie McGuire, a presenter who is also the Stars president, and the team’s marquee player Shane Warne has also asked Bolt whether he was interested.Fresh from an Olympic campaign in which he won three gold medals, Bolt said at the weekend he was still open to the idea. “He [Shane Warne] contacted me and asked me about if I am serious and if I really want to do it then he can put in a few words that should get it done,” Bolt said on Channel Nine.”So we will see if I get the time off. I will try. Twenty20, I love it. Just the fact that it is so exciting, it’s about going hard the whole time, not just about playing shots. It’s about being aggressive and I like that style of batsman. If I get the chance I will definitely try because I know it’s going to be a lot of fun. I don’t know how good I am. I will probably have to get a lot of practice in.”One of the major issues would be whether Bolt could hold his own as a cricketer. Although he played junior cricket and famously bowled Chris Gayle in a charity match in Jamaica in 2009, facing the likes of Brett Lee and Pat Cummins would be another matter entirely.In 2006-07, the rugby league star Andrew Johns turned out in two Big Bash matches for New South Wales in an effort to boost crowd numbers and attention for the competition, but the move backfired for the Blues. On debut, Johns batted at No.11 and was at the crease when New South Wales needed 13 from the final over to win, but his partner Simon Katich refused to put him on strike and the Blues lost.The stakes have risen considerably since then, with the eight BBL franchises all competing not only for the trophy but also for two spots at the Champions League T20, where the winning team earns $2.5 million in prize money. Cricket Australia is cautious about the idea of Bolt playing in the BBL, declaring that the competition has moved past the “novelty factor” and that he would need to be able to play to the appropriate standard, but the Stars remain keen on the idea.”We’re going to wait until the Olympics is over and re-engage with him and his management company,” Clint Cooper, the Stars CEO told the . “We’ve got a couple of spots left on our list.”

If you look at this day in isolation, Surrey had a good day. If you look at it in the context of the whole season, they should have done better

Jarrod Kimber at The Oval06-Sep-2012
ScorecardGraeme White was the pick of the Nottinghamshire bowlers but Surrey took a grip on the game•PA Photos

It should have been a day of senseless cheering and happy dancing for Surrey fans. Finally their team were in a position where they shouldn’t lose the match and, most importantly, they had given themselves a chance of victory and their best possible chance of staying in Division One. Instead a lack of declaration must have left many supporters bemused, as Surrey batted on until they were bowled out, with surely far more runs than they needed.Even earlier in the day, as Surrey stuttered, fans were left to bemoan the fact that in only four Championship games, Kevin Pietersen was (briefly) the leading run-scorer for Surrey in the Championship this year. To compound the general feeling of negativity, Pietersen was out soon after to Graeme White (yes, SLA), when he tried to hit him beyond the gas towers. Pietersen made 22 in an innings in which he looked like a teacher patronising kindergarten children.Jason Roy, in his 11th Championship appearance, soon overtook Pietersen as Surrey’s leading run-scorer but then, as limply as is possible with a piece of wood, pushed the ball to a novelty fielder at short mid-on, next to the bowler, for 41. It seemed like an apt metaphor for Surrey’s season. Earlier, Rory Burns had played well, and was also briefly the team’s leading run-scorer this year, but also got out despite never looking that challenged by the bowling.The highlights for Surrey were the same as day one. Gary Wilson (57) joined Zander de Bruyn (78) to put on their second important partnership of the match. It’s a partnership that is hard not to like, being much like an American buddy cop film: de Bruyn the smooth and tidy by-the-book man, Wilson the rough-and-rugged partner who plays by his own rules. They took Surrey from a nervy position to being in charge of the match, and towards the end of their partnership started scoring quicker, looking for an anti-relegation declaration.White was the pick of the Notts bowlers with 4 for 97. On a pitch that seemed to help him more each session, he got consistent spin, and generally hung in there to pick up four wickets. He was Notts’ only hope of knocking Surrey over cheaply but he didn’t quite have the killer instinct required.White’s wicket of Arun Harinath came from spinning the ball past the pads of Harinath as he crept outside off stump to clip leg stump. It was a sign that the pitch was really starting to turn. Sam Wood also chipped in with 3 for 64, and spun a couple of balls quite far. While his bowling was never overly threatening, he’s had a very good game so far.Surrey’s lead of 346 is not Everest but it is approaching Kilimanjaro heights. It is not a good sign for Notts that on day three the ball was spinning quite far and seven of the first eight wickets went to spin. Tomorrow, two spinners of far greater skill are going to be attacking them. The Notts batsmen struggled to score off Murali Kartik in the first innings, so even if they put themselves in a winning position, Kartik could aim at the footmarks and hope to secure a draw.Notts will do it all without Alex Hales, a batsmen who could have caused Surrey some second thoughts, as he has left to join up with England, as agreed with the ECB before the match.Instead of bowling on the third night in tandom, however, Kartik and Gareth Batty were batting together. Kartik must have been looking at the pitch like a cartoon monster looks at a victim – hopefully the groundstaff mop up his drool before tomorrow. Batty, often in strict consultation with Surrey coach, Chris Adams, has been conservative with his declarations of late, but even his fingers must have been twitchy looking at the part-time spin of Wood jag the ball back at him. Yet as the lead trotted past 300, Batty, and/or Adams, remained unmoved.If Surrey don’t win this match, and Lancashire end with a likely draw at Lord’s, Surrey will travel to Liverpool needing to avoid defeat to stay in Division One. They could have used their already large advantage, declared 300 in front, had ten or so overs at Notts, backed their spinners and put all their effort into making sure of safety in this game. It seemed like a no-lose situation for Surrey, and yet they batted on, desperate for every run of their substantial lead.When Notts did bat, they sent out a nightwatchman, Harry Gurney, to open alongside Hales’ replacement, Neil Edwards. It was an odd and frustrating end.If you look at this day in isolation, Surrey had a good day. If you look at it in the context of the whole season, they should have done better.

ESPNcricinfo previews the match between Auckland Aces and Perth Scorchers at Centurion

The Preview by Kanishkaa Balachandran22-Oct-2012

Match facts

October 23, 2012
Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT)Nothing less than an outright win will help Auckland progress•Associated Press

Big Picture

The Champions League rolls on to its final day of league matches, and the semi-finalists are yet to be decided from Group A. The other group, in contrast, wasn’t quite as open or competitive, with Sydney Sixers and Lions already booking their slots in the semis, thereby making Monday’s games inconsequential.As for the opening game on Tuesday, only one of the two teams has something to play for. Auckland Aces are currently third with six points and to beat Perth Scorchers to keep their hopes alive. An outright win will take them to ten points. Their progression will then depend on the result of the second game of the evening, between Delhi Daredevils and Titans. Daredevils will move to 14 points if they win, but if they lose, they will be locked on 10 points with Auckland, and therefore only one of the two will progress, based on superior net run-rate. If Auckland can secure their four points tomorrow, they will hope for a Daredevils victory as it cuts out the net-run-rate scenario.There’s nothing at stake for Perth, though, who were eliminated after losing to Daredevils in a low-scorer at Newlands. Following two consecutive defeats, the Australian side would want to save face with a consolation win. A Perth win will make the second game a dead rubber. Auckland were properly tested for the first time last week when they lost comprehensively to the Titans at Kingsmead. After restricting teams to below-par totals from the qualifying stage, they were set to chase 173, but fell 59 short. Their next game, against Daredevils, was washed out without a ball bowled. Auckland will hope the weather cooperates at Centurion, so they can pick up four points. They have to win, and then watch.Auckland will be without their allrounder Andre Adams, who picked up a abdominal muscle tear while batting against Titans. Having returned home, he is likely to be out for up to three weeks.

Watch out for…

Lou Vincent has made starts, with scores of 20, 19, 30 and 6, but hasn’t lasted more than 16 balls in any innings. He’s in the side to provide strong starts, and a lengthier stint at the crease should make a difference. Vincent has reportedly been keeping the team’s spirits alive by giving “motivational speeches” with his Justin Bieber doll. Some runs with the bat will lift the team greater.Perth’s Mitchell Marsh has hit one of the biggest sixes in the tournament and is the only player from the squad to score 100 runs or more. Perth have only managed scores of 124 (chasing 164) and 121 in their two completed games and if Marsh can fire at the top, he could help his team to an above-par score and test Auckland.

Quotes

“We certainly haven’t played anywhere near what we did last summer, and hopefully that’s going to bug quite a few of the guys to put in a good performance to finish well.”

A round-up of the Momentum One-Day Cup matches held on November 25, 2012

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAn unbeaten 85-run partnership between Dane Vilas and Justin Ontong in 8.2 overs took Cape Cobras to a seven-wicket win against Lions with one over to spare in a tight chase in a 37-overs-a-side contest Potchefstroom.After a wet outfield had delayed the start, the overs were reduced, and an opening partnership of 92 and a sixth-wicket stand of 80 in 6.1 overs at the death helped Lions put up a strong 245 for 5. Opener Stephen Cook scored a half-century, but the more impactful innings came from Chris Morris, who scored an unbeaten 49 off 25 deliveries. But, the strong total proved to be insufficient.Opener Richard Levi began the chase well for Cape Cobras, with 37 off 28 deliveries including six fours and a six. Zander de Bruyn, in the eighth over, removed him, and his partner Andrew Puttick soon after to leave them at 62 for 2 in the 12th over. Middle-order batsmen Stiaan van Zyl and Vilas steadied the innings, adding 99 in 16.3 overs. But when van Zyl was dismissed, the required run rate had climbed up to 9.23 runs per over.Captain Ontong smashed an unbeaten 52 off 27 deliveries, and with Vilas (78* off 71), helped seal the chase. With the win, Cobras occupy the second spot, and boost their chances of taking a play-off position. Lions, who are at the top of the table, weren’t affected much by this defeat.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA quick, unbeaten century by Titans captain Martin van Jaarsveld and an aggressive half-century from wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn guided their side to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Warriors in Benoni. After left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe and seamer Albie Morkel, with seven wickets between them, helped restrict Warriors to 241 for 9, van Jaarsveld and Kuhn struck a 142-run partnership to take their side home in the 42nd over.Warriors, after choosing to bat, kept losing wickets regularly. Van der Merwe and Morkel claimed the top-order wickets, reducing them to 166 for 6 in the 37th over. But an eighth-wicket partnership between Ayabulela Gqamane and Basheeru-Deen Walters of 46 in seven overs took them past the 200-run mark. Captain Davy Jacobs was Warriors’ highest scorer with a quick 51.Titans began their chase steadily through their openers, who put on 41 in nine overs. Two wickets then fell quickly, before the big partnership. When Heino Kuhn was dismissed, Titans were 191 for 3, and in control of the chase. The victory was complete with 8.4 overs to spare.The win pushed Titans to the third spot on the points table, boosting their chances for one of the two play-off places. Warriors’ lie at the bottom with seven points from as many games.
ScorecardThe game between Knights and Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg was washed out without a ball being bowled. Both teams received two points each.This is the Dolphins’ third abandoned game, and this has hurt their chances of claiming a play-off spot.

Persistent rain on the fourth day robbed Northern Districts of a chance to push for their first win in the Plunket Shield as they drew the match against Canterbury at Seddon Park in Hamilton

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2012
ScorecardPersistent rain on the fourth day robbed Northern Districts of a chance to push for their first win in the Plunket Shield as they drew the match against Canterbury at Seddon Park in Hamilton. Only 27 overs were possible on the last day as rains washed out almost two sessions. Northern Districts, who had set a target of 425 runs for Canterbury, managed to pick up two wickets in the time possible, with Peter Fulton staying unbeaten on 68.Northern Districts had put themselves in a strong position after a dominant second-innings performance that helped the team declare on 410 for 5, with opening batsman Joseph Yovich scoring 128 and four other batsmen following up with half-centuries. Yovich shared two century partnerships, with James Marshall for the second wicket and Daryl Mitchell for the fourth. After Yovich’s dismissal, BJ Watling and Corey Anderson scored two more half-centuries and pushed the score over 400, giving the team just over a day to bowl Canterbury out.The batsmen struggled in the first two innings. Canterbury had put Northern Districts in and struck early. But Yovich and Marshall strung an 86-run stand to help Northern Districts made gradual progress. But Ryan McCone triggered a collapse when he had Marshall out for 47. McCone picked up three more wickets and received support from Gareth Andrew who picked up three as Northern Districts were bowled out for 200.Canterbury’s response was disastrous to start with – they lost their first six wickets for only 35 – but a 97-run stand between Todd Astle, who scored 53, and Andrew, who scored a 69-ball 89, brought the innings score to a comparable 186. Graeme Aldridge was the most successful bowler with 5 for 45.