2nd Shell Cup Final: Canterbury v Central Districts at Christchurch, 27 Jan 2001

Ball-by-Ball Commentary


Match State: Match scheduled to start at 2:30pm local time (0130 GMT)

       welcome to Jade Stadium in Christchurch for the second Shell Cup
        final between Canterbury and Central Districts
       it's a picture perfect day here, barely a single cloud in the sky,
        and they are over the Port Hills, far in the distance, and only a
        strong wind blowing to disrupt the tranquil conditions
       it's a new pitch in use today, as opposed to the portable pitch
        which looked rather worn in the last couple of games here
       it should provide plenty of bounce and carry, and a fair few runs
        as well if the batsmen see through the early period where it may
        seam round quite a bit
       Canterbury have won the toss and elected to bowl first, perhaps as
        a result of the pitch being covered until quite late in the piece,
        which may provide them sufficient incentive
       both teams have picked the same playing XIs for today's match as
        the first final at Napier, with Gareth West the Central Districts
        12th man, while Marcel McKenzie again fulfils the drinks carrying
        duties for Canterbury
       there's a big incentive to win today's game for Canterbury, as the
        winner of this series will qualify as New Zealand's representative
        in the inter-country one-day championships in Perth in April
       out come the umpires and players on to the field, it'll be David
        Kelly to face the first ball bowled by Chris Martin bowling from
        the Port Hills End, with Mathew Sinclair at the non-striker's end
   0.1 Martin to Kelly, no run, shortish ball on off stump, guides it down
        just backward of point, Harris in to field
       the wind gets worse and worse, already the bails drop off at the
        keeper's end and umpire Bowden has to jog in from square leg to
        fix up
   0.2 Martin to Kelly, no run, comes well forward to a full ball outside
        off stump, stroked up to Cunis at mid on
   0.3 Martin to Kelly, (noball) no run, super quick rising ball outside
        off stump, Kelly struggles to sight it and has to quickly sway
        back out of the way as it seams back and climbs into him, knocked
        on the grille and rebounds down into the slips, no-balled for
        height
   0.3 Martin to Kelly, no run, beaten! plays and misses pushing forward
        at one sliding past the outside edge, fine start from Martin
   0.4 Martin to Kelly, FOUR, full and straight, overpitched, sweetly
        driven straight up the ground on the leg side, past Cunis and
        beats the chase of Stead from mid off
   0.5 Martin to Kelly, wide: no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        drifts away with the wind, left alone and called wide
   0.5 Martin to Kelly, no run, shortish ball, defends down at his toes,
        turning quickly to stop it before it rolls back towards the
        stumps, the bail comes off on its own thanks to the wind
   0.6 Martin to Kelly, no run, shortish ball, forward in defence on the
        off side of the pitch

End of over 1 (6 runs) Central Districts 6/0 (RR: 6.00)
CS Martin 1-0-6-0 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 0* (0b) DP Kelly 4* (7b 1x4)

       Ryan Burson to bowl from the Hadlee Stand End
   1.1 Burson to Sinclair, no run, good straight tight ball on middle
        stump, props forward to defend with bat/pad tucked together
   1.2 Burson to Sinclair, no run, forward, firmly strokes square on the
        off side, Harris hops across to his right to field from behind
        square
       off comes the off bail at the Port Hills End now
   1.3 Burson to Sinclair, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        steers it away down to Cunis at third man
   1.4 Burson to Kelly, one run, shortish ball drifting down the leg side,
        tucked off the hip towards backward square leg, good quick run
        taken with the shot as Anderson fields from straighter, flinging
        it just over the top of the stumps
   1.5 Burson to Sinclair, no run, forward, defends down into the covers
   1.6 Burson to Sinclair, no run, drives and misses outside off stump,
        going for an aggressive shot through the covers

End of over 2 (2 runs) Central Districts 8/0 (RR: 4.00)
RD Burson 1-0-2-0 - Hadlee Stand End
DP Kelly 5* (8b 1x4) MS Sinclair 1* (5b)

   2.1 Martin to Kelly, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guides
        down off the face to Burson at third man
   2.2 Martin to Sinclair, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
        Sinclair fends away from the body trying to push it into the
        covers, bottom edgily drops it into the deck at his feet, not far
        from dragging it back on
   2.3 Martin to Sinclair, one run, short straight ball, tucks it well
        down off the body in close on the leg side, a well sprinted quick
        single is taken as McMillan has a long way to get in to field from
        square leg
   2.4 Martin to Kelly, no run, similar again, but this one goes squarer,
        Kelly is half keen but Sinclair tells him to stay where he is
   2.5 Martin to Kelly, no run, Martin continues to dig it right in, Kelly
        stands tall to defend down into the covers, Harris pounces across
        from point to field
   2.6 Martin to Kelly, no run, full outside off stump, firmly punches
        along the ground to extra cover

End of over 3 (2 runs) Central Districts 10/0 (RR: 3.33)
CS Martin 2-0-8-0 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 2* (7b) DP Kelly 6* (12b 1x4)

       terrible trouble with the bails at both ends, this wind is really
        howling through, plenty of people rugged up in the crowd on what
        is an otherwise warm and sunny day
   3.1 Burson to Sinclair, FOUR, short and enough width, Sinclair slays it
        away strongly through backward point, a hard chase for Cunis from
        third man and has to give it up, fine shot
   3.2 Burson to Sinclair, one run, full on the legs, clipped away towards
        vacant midwicket, easy run taken with the shot as Anderson fields
        from square leg
   3.3 Burson to Kelly, no run, full outside off stump, mistimes a strong
        straight drive up to Stead at mid off
   3.4 Burson to Kelly, OUT: dear oh dear, Kelly does a carbon copy of
        Astle's dismissal in the first final at Napier, charging down the
        pitch at a full ball outside off stump, has a mighty swing and
        gets a huge top edge straight down to third man

       Central Districts 15/1, Partnership of 15
       DP Kelly  c Cunis b Burson  6 (14b 1x4 0x6)
       MS Sinclair 7* (9b 1x4) RD Burson 1.4-0-7-1

       Cunis takes a comfortable catch bending low down to take it at
        ankle height and yet another opening partnership in this Shell Cup
        fails to go any significant distance
       Craig Spearman the new batsman
   3.5 Burson to Spearman, no run, good ball outside off stump, shapes to
        defend but lifts the bat out of the way just in time
   3.6 Burson to Spearman, no run, props forward in defend with bat/pad
        together, played down into the covers as it seams back into the
        front pad

End of over 4 (5 runs) Central Districts 15/1 (RR: 3.75)
RD Burson 2-0-7-1 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 7* (9b 1x4) CM Spearman 0* (2b)

   4.1 Martin to Sinclair, one run, forward to a full ball outside off
        stump, squeezes it away down to Burson at third man
   4.2 Martin to Spearman, OUT: short rising ball outside off stump, hops
        to defend it but drags it back on down into off stump, a disaster
        start again for Central

       Central Districts 16/2, Partnership of 1
       CM Spearman  b Martin  0 (3b 0x4 0x6)
       MS Sinclair 8* (10b 1x4) CS Martin 2.2-0-9-1 (1w 1nb)

       Ben Smith the new batsman
   4.3 Martin to Smith, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, guides it
        down to backward point
   4.4 Martin to Smith, no run, prods forward in defence to a good tight
        ball on off stump, streakily runs it away to McMillan at square
        leg
   4.5 Martin to Smith, no run, stretches well forward straight down the
        line of a ball on off stump, defending to the bowler
   4.6 Martin to Smith, no run, good quick rising ball outside off stump,
        Smith has a wafty wave at it but never quite gets to it, not far
        from the outside edge as it passes through high to the keeper

End of over 5 (1 run) Central Districts 16/2 (RR: 3.20)
CS Martin 3-0-9-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 8* (10b 1x4) BF Smith 0* (4b)

   5.1 Burson to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball on off stump, forces down
        off the back foot into the covers where McMillan fields
   5.2 Burson to Sinclair, no run, full and straight on the toes, driven
        firmly straight up to Redmond at mid on
   5.3 Burson to Sinclair, legbye: one run, angling on leg stump, drops it
        down off the pad square on the leg side, quick single taken as it
        trickles away, Anderson with an underarm dive throw from square
        leg, misses as Smith safely slides home
   5.4 Burson to Smith, no run, quicker ball angling on leg stump, drops
        down towards Anderson at square leg with much more pace
   5.5 Burson to Smith, no run, squared around in defence by a quickish
        short ball, defends down in close on the off side, McMillan in
        from the covers to field
   5.6 Burson to Smith, no run, straight ball, driven straight up to mid
        on

End of over 6 (1 run, maiden) Central Districts 17/2 (RR: 2.83)
RD Burson 3-1-7-1 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 8* (13b 1x4) BF Smith 0* (7b)

   6.1 Martin to Sinclair, no run, props forward in defence outside off
        stump, played down towards Harris at backward point
   6.2 Martin to Sinclair, no run, good tight ball on off stump, jabs it
        out in defence towards Harris at backward point once more
   6.3 Martin to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
        defends down backward of point once more
   6.4 Martin to Sinclair, no run, hops on the crease in defence to yet
        another consistent line and length ball from Martin, defending
        towards Harris, busy in action yet again
   6.5 Martin to Sinclair, no run, a bit straighter, Sinclair shuffles
        across towards off stump, stroking straight up to Cunis at mid on
   6.6 Martin to Sinclair, SIX, Sinclair has his own back last ball of the
        over, a bit short, a bit straight and sits up somewhat, Sinclair
        quickly gets across and in behind it, swinging it boldly over
        backward square leg, no fielders out there, doesn't matter anyway,
        over the rope!

End of over 7 (6 runs) Central Districts 23/2 (RR: 3.29)
CS Martin 4-0-15-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
BF Smith 0* (7b) MS Sinclair 14* (19b 1x4 1x6)

   7.1 Burson to Smith, FOUR, stands tall on the crease to another
        similarly too-short ball outside off stump, slapped down forward
        of Harris at point, the chase is abandoned quickly as it is too
        well timed
   7.2 Burson to Smith, no run, props forward in defence to a straighter
        ball on a fair length, comes back a little and Smith inside edges
        from the probing blade, into the top of the front pad and drops at
        his toes
   7.3 Burson to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
        straight back down the ground, Burson does well to get a few
        fingers on to it and slow its pace up to Stead at mid off, a
        direct hit at the bowler's end as Sinclair hovers about the crease
   7.4 Burson to Smith, no run, full and straight, driven straight up to
        Redmond at mid on
   7.5 Burson to Smith, one run, angling down the leg side, tucked off the
        hip down through backward square leg, Martin in from long leg to
        field
   7.6 Burson to Sinclair, FOUR, full outside off stump, punches it
        ferociously into the turf and bounces up over the head of short
        cover, Stead runs alongside it from wide mid off, and has to give
        up the chase as it outpaces him over the fast outfield

End of over 8 (9 runs) Central Districts 32/2 (RR: 4.00)
RD Burson 4-1-16-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 5* (12b 1x4) MS Sinclair 18* (20b 2x4 1x6)

   8.1 Martin to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, slashing square
        drive as he gets right down to reach for it, Anderson dives
        forward to scoop it up on the half volley at cover point
   8.2 Martin to Smith, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guided
        off the face down to Burson at third man
   8.3 Martin to Sinclair, one run, angling down the leg side, clipped off
        the legs down to Redmond at fine leg
   8.4 Martin to Smith, no run, good short rising ball outside off stump,
        wafts and misses at it as it passes through to the keeper, no
        great conviction with the intent behind the stroke
   8.5 Martin to Smith, no run, shortish again, this time Smith gets bat
        on to ball, quietly patting it down to Harris at backward point
   8.6 Martin to Smith, one run, steers this one finer of Harris, down to
        Burson at third man

End of over 9 (3 runs) Central Districts 35/2 (RR: 3.89)
CS Martin 5-0-18-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
BF Smith 7* (17b 1x4) MS Sinclair 19* (21b 2x4 1x6)

   9.1 Burson to Smith, no run, shortish straight ball on leg stump, fends
        it off the thigh pad down in close on the leg side
   9.2 Burson to Smith, no run, straight ball, held back a little, gently
        defends down in close on the off side as he waits for it to arrive
   9.3 Burson to Smith, no run, forward to a straight ball outside off
        stump, driven straight up to Stead at mid off
   9.4 Burson to Smith, no run, shortish straight ball, defends up towards
        Redmond at mid on
   9.5 Burson to Smith, one run, shortish ball, guided off the face down
        to Cunis at third man
   9.6 Burson to Sinclair, no run, squared around trying to whip one away
        off the legs backward of square leg, into the top of the pad and
        drops down in close on the off side

End of over 10 (1 run) Central Districts 36/2 (RR: 3.60)
RD Burson 5-1-17-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 8* (22b 1x4) MS Sinclair 19* (22b 2x4 1x6)

       Craig McMillan on to bowl, replacing Martin at the Port Hills End
  10.1 McMillan to Smith, no run, forward to a tight ball on off stump,
        defends down to Stead at cover
  10.2 McMillan to Smith, no run, shortish ball on off stump, Smith stands
        back and tall, defending down in close on the off side of the
        pitch, McMillan up to field off his own bowling
  10.3 McMillan to Smith, no run, shortish ball drifting a bit straighter,
        Smith shuffles across the crease to work it off the hip, can't get
        it past a good diving stop to his right by Anderson at square leg
  10.4 McMillan to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, squeezes it
        straight up to Cunis at mid off
  10.5 McMillan to Smith, no run, squared around in defence by a quicker
        straight ball, rebounds back off the face towards the bowler
        precariously
  10.6 McMillan to Smith, FOUR, a bit short on leg stump, sits up to be
        picked off Smith does precisely that, whipped away over backward
        square leg and once more the last ball of an over lets Canterbury
        down, a maiden averted by Smith

End of over 11 (4 runs) Central Districts 40/2 (RR: 3.64)
CD McMillan 1-0-4-0 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 19* (22b 2x4 1x6) BF Smith 12* (28b 2x4)

       a double bowling change, Stephen Cunis replaces Burson at the
        Hadlee Stand End
  11.1 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, driven into the
        deck, played up to Stead at mid off
  11.2 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, similar ball and dealt with in much the
        same manner, up to Stead at mid off
  11.3 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, dug in a little shorter, Sinclair is
        tucked up and can only quietly push it away towards Harris at
        point
  11.4 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, short ball outside off stump, stands
        back and tall to try and slap it down through the covers, mistimes
        it into the ground, straight to Astle at short cover
  11.5 Cunis to Sinclair, OUT: another one bites the dust meekly, Sinclair
        plants the front foot forward, doesn't get to the pitch of the
        ball whatsoever, gets a thick edge straight through to Hopkins who
        takes a safe catch to his right

       Central Districts 40/3, Partnership of 24
       MS Sinclair  c Hopkins b Cunis  19 (27b 2x4 1x6)
       BF Smith 12* (28b 2x4) SJ Cunis 0.5-0-0-1

       out to the crease comes Mark Douglas, in his 100th and possibly
        final Shell Cup match, and boy do Central need him to deliver like
        he did in the semi-final against Northern at Napier, if they are
        to live to see a third final here
  11.6 Cunis to Douglas, no run, good tight ball on off stump, defends
        down into the covers, a fine opening over by Cunis, a wicket
        maiden

End of over 12 (maiden) Central Districts 40/3 (RR: 3.33)
SJ Cunis 1-1-0-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 12* (28b 2x4) MW Douglas 0* (1b)

  12.1 McMillan to Smith, no run, Smith drives on the up to a ball outside
        off stump, played strongly straight to Stead at cover
  12.2 McMillan to Smith, no run, a bit shorter, played down towards
        Harris at backward point
  12.3 McMillan to Smith, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, superbly
        driven through vacant extra cover, a huge gap in the field there
        and Smith had no trouble finding it
  12.4 McMillan to Smith, one run, a better ball dug in outside off stump,
        Smith jabs it away down to Cunis at third man with far less
        assurance than his previous shot
  12.5 McMillan to Douglas, (noball) no run, McMillan tries to attack the
        new batsman with a short one, but his line is totally off skew,
        going well down the leg side and above shoulder height, conceding
        the free run with little psychological gain
  12.5 McMillan to Douglas, two runs, angling down the leg side once more,
        flicked off the hip down through backward square leg, Cunis around
        from long leg to field, Douglas is underway
  12.6 McMillan to Douglas, no run, driven straight up to mid on

End of over 13 (8 runs) Central Districts 48/3 (RR: 3.69)
CD McMillan 2-0-12-0 (1nb) - Port Hills End
BF Smith 17* (32b 3x4) MW Douglas 2* (4b)

  13.1 Cunis to Smith, no run, drifting into the pads, picked off the legs
        straight to Anderson at square leg
  13.2 Cunis to Smith, no run, props well forward in defence, played down
        to Astle at short cover
  13.3 Cunis to Smith, no run, forward, defends down to Astle once more in
        close on the off side
  13.4 Cunis to Smith, no run, props forward in defence to a straight ball
        coming back in, defends away towards cover point
  13.5 Cunis to Smith, no run, shortish rising ball on off stump, Smith
        stands tall on the crease to defend down on the off side of the
        pitch
  13.6 Cunis to Smith, FOUR, overpitched straight ball, strongly driven
        straight down the ground past the bowler on the leg side of the
        pitch, brings up the Central 50 off 86 balls

End of over 14 (4 runs) Central Districts 52/3 (RR: 3.71)
SJ Cunis 2-1-4-1 - Hadlee Stand End
MW Douglas 2* (4b) BF Smith 21* (38b 4x4)

       interestingly, Canterbury bring back Martin into the attack,
        replacing McMillan at the Port Hills End
  14.1 Martin to Douglas, one run, good full ball just outside off stump,
        dug out towards McMillan at point, fires back at the keeper's end
        for fun and hits direct, conceding the overthrow as it ricochets
        away towards fine leg
  14.2 Martin to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, stroked away to
        Harris at backward point
  14.3 Martin to Smith, no run, driven firmly straight back down the
        pitch, Martin tips back on to the stumps at the bowler's end on
        his follow through but Douglas was always safely back
  14.4 Martin to Smith, no run, tight ball outside off stump, nudged away
        square on the off side
  14.5 Martin to Smith, no run, short ball outside off stump, sweetly and
        strongly cut down backward of point, but can't beat the diving
        Harris scooping it up cleanly on the second bounce
  14.6 Martin to Smith, no run, lovely ball from Martin! rising ball from
        a good length has Smith uncertain, fending away from the body,
        guiding it down towards Astle at first slip, just dropping short,
        palmed down into the ground on the half volley

End of over 15 (1 run) Central Districts 53/3 (RR: 3.53)
CS Martin 6-0-19-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
MW Douglas 3* (5b) BF Smith 21* (43b 4x4)

  15.1 Cunis to Douglas, no run, full and straight, firmly driven back
        down the pitch to Cunis fielding at his feet on the follow through
  15.2 Cunis to Douglas, no run, comes well forward to another similar
        ball, squeezes back down the pitch to Cunis
  15.3 Cunis to Douglas, no run, drawn forward to another good ball on off
        stump, played back to Cunis once more
  15.4 Cunis to Douglas, no run, walking forward, firmly pushing it to
        Anderson in the covers
  15.5 Cunis to Douglas, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump and Douglas
        pounces, super straight drive back down the ground, too good for
        Redmond at mid off, shot of the day so far
  15.6 Cunis to Douglas, one run, straight ball, tucked down in close on
        the leg side of the pitch, good quick single taken with the shot
        as the infield is slow to react

End of over 16 (5 runs) Central Districts 58/3 (RR: 3.62)
SJ Cunis 3-1-9-1 - Hadlee Stand End
MW Douglas 8* (11b 1x4) BF Smith 21* (43b 4x4)

       time for the first drinks break
  16.1 Martin to Douglas, one run, tip and run from Douglas to one outside
        off stump, drops it down in close, short of Harris at point and
        they grab a smart single as Harris holds back from firing at the
        bowler's end
  16.2 Martin to Smith, no run, forward, firmly defends straight up to
        Burson at mid off
  16.3 Martin to Smith, no run, fuller outside off stump, more firmly
        stroked but straight to McMillan at extra cover this time
  16.4 Martin to Smith, no run, full and straight on off stump, driven
        straight up to Stead at mid on
  16.5 Martin to Smith, no run, forward, guides it away towards Doody at
        backward point
  16.6 Martin to Smith, FOUR, very full and straight, well driven back
        down the ground on the leg side, past mid on and Redmond has a
        long chase from mid off as it slows up, but just over the rope
        with him as he dives for it

End of over 17 (5 runs) Central Districts 63/3 (RR: 3.71)
CS Martin 7-0-24-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
MW Douglas 9* (12b 1x4) BF Smith 25* (48b 5x4)

  17.1 Cunis to Douglas, no run, full outside off stump, dug out away
        towards Astle in the covers
  17.2 Cunis to Douglas, one run, nudged away firmly into the covers,
        quick single taken with the shot, Astle hits direct at the
        bowler's end but Douglas is well home in time
  17.3 Cunis to Smith, no run, seamed back in to the front pad, rebounds
        away out to McMillan in the covers
  17.4 Cunis to Smith, wide: no run, widish ball outside off stump,
        slashes and misses, umpire Bowden is convinced enough to give it a
        wide as the feet don't move to it, though it passed well inside
        the line markings on the crease
  17.4 Cunis to Smith, no run, straight shortish ball, defends down
        towards Astle at wide midwicket
  17.5 Cunis to Smith, one run, similar ball, well picked off the body
        towards midwicket, good quick single taken to Astle who fires wide
        at the keeper's end
  17.6 Cunis to Douglas, no run, good tight ball just outside off stump,
        punched into the ground, away into the covers

End of over 18 (3 runs) Central Districts 66/3 (RR: 3.67)
SJ Cunis 4-1-12-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 26* (51b 5x4) MW Douglas 10* (15b 1x4)

       Martin's second spell comes to an end, Anderson replaces him at the
        Port Hills End
  18.1 Anderson to Smith, no run, flighted full and straight, driven
        firmly directly up to Stead at mid on on the circle edge
  18.2 Anderson to Smith, one run, flighted up on off stump, Smith drags
        it across, sweeping strongly along the ground out to Doody at deep
        backward square leg
  18.3 Anderson to Douglas, no run, slightly shorter, Douglas tries to
        whip it across the line through the leg side, plays it away to
        Harris at square leg
  18.4 Anderson to Douglas, one run, turning down the leg side, worked
        away down towards fine leg
  18.5 Anderson to Smith, FOUR, flighted full, Smith latches on to it very
        well, swung away over midwicket, two bounces and no fielder within
        cooee as it crosses the rope
  18.6 Anderson to Smith, no run, flatter ball, hurried on and more
        respectfully defends back on the off side of the pitch

End of over 19 (6 runs) Central Districts 72/3 (RR: 3.79)
CJ Anderson 1-0-6-0 - Port Hills End
MW Douglas 11* (17b 1x4) BF Smith 31* (55b 6x4)

  19.1 Cunis to Douglas, no run, driven straight up to Redmond at mid off
  19.2 Cunis to Douglas, no run, similar again, driven straight up to mid
        off once more
  19.3 Cunis to Douglas, no run, straighter ball, pushes firmly back down
        the pitch to the bowler
  19.4 Cunis to Douglas, no run, angling into the pads, tucked down to
        McMillan at midwicket
  19.5 Cunis to Douglas, no run, a bit more width, slashed away square but
        Harris comes off with a splendid save, diving mid-air to his left
        at point, and even managing a shy at the bowler's end from the
        ground, superb work
  19.6 Cunis to Douglas, no run, shortish ball, cramps Douglas up, forced
        to defend back down the pitch on the leg side

End of over 20 (maiden) Central Districts 72/3 (RR: 3.60)
SJ Cunis 5-2-12-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 31* (55b 6x4) MW Douglas 11* (23b 1x4)

  20.1 Anderson to Smith, two runs, paddles around the corner, a little
        top edgily but very safe, Redmond charges in to field from deep
        backward square leg as Smith sprints back for a very tight second,
        but the throw is a bit wide and he makes it home well, putting
        pressure on the field
  20.2 Anderson to Smith, one run, stroked up wide of mid off for an easy
        run with the shot
  20.3 Anderson to Douglas, no run, turns into the left hander, pushes
        back down the pitch to the bowler
  20.4 Anderson to Douglas, no run, squared around in defence as he tries
        to work one off his hip, ends up rebounding away towards Doody at
        point
  20.5 Anderson to Douglas, no run, shortish ball, worked away straight to
        Harris at midwicket
  20.6 Anderson to Douglas, one run, turning a bit further down the leg
        side, worked down to Cunis at fine leg

End of over 21 (4 runs) Central Districts 76/3 (RR: 3.62)
CJ Anderson 2-0-10-0 - Port Hills End
MW Douglas 12* (27b 1x4) BF Smith 34* (57b 6x4)

  21.1 Cunis to Douglas, one run, tight rising ball on off stump, well
        stroked up towards mid off and runs hard with the shot as
        Redmond's up to field, can't prevent it from being taken
  21.2 Cunis to Smith, one run, short rising ball outside off stump, runs
        it down to Anderson at third man
  21.3 Cunis to Douglas, no run, plays and misses outside off stump,
        driving a bit late as it hurries through on him
  21.4 Cunis to Douglas, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, tapped
        down in close on the off side, another good quick single extracted
        as Astle's too deep in the covers to prevent it
  21.5 Cunis to Smith, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
        towards Harris at backward point, loud shout of 'no!' as there's
        definitely no run on offer there
  21.6 Cunis to Smith, OUT: Smith throws things away for Central once
        more, dancing down the pitch looking to crash one through the
        covers, but picks the wrong ball to do it to, the length isn't
        full enough and ends up getting a clear nick through to Hopkins

       Central Districts 79/4, Partnership of 39
       BF Smith  c Hopkins b Cunis  35 (60b 6x4 0x6)

End of over 22 (3 runs) Central Districts 79/4 (RR: 3.59)
SJ Cunis 6-2-15-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
MW Douglas 14* (30b 1x4) 

       Cunis charges through triumphantly to celebrate with the keeper
        while Smith just stands there, not angry with anything but
        himself, disbelieving he played that stroke at this time, just as
        Central were building to something, reckless shot selection
       Jacob Oram the new batsman
  22.1 Anderson to Douglas, no run, shortish ball turning into the left
        hander, works it down towards cover point, Harris fields from
        short cover
  22.2 Anderson to Douglas, no run, once more, does it again, Harris
        fields
  22.3 Anderson to Douglas, one run, this time works it squarer, through
        backward square leg to Burson in the deep
  22.4 Anderson to Oram, one run, Oram underway immediately with some
        smart running, working it backward of square leg, short of Cunis
        on the circle edge, quick single
  22.5 Anderson to Douglas, OUT: Central in more trouble, Douglas trapped
        on the crease by one pitching leg and straightening on middle and
        off as it strikes him, umpire Cowie raises the finger to his
        dismay, in possibly his final innings in his Shell Cup career

       Central Districts 81/5, Partnership of 2
       MW Douglas  lbw b Anderson  15 (34b 1x4 0x6)
       JDP Oram 1* (1b) CJ Anderson 2.5-0-12-1

       Glen Sulzberger the new batsman
  22.6 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, forward, defends back on the leg
        side of the pitch

End of over 23 (2 runs) Central Districts 81/5 (RR: 3.52)
CJ Anderson 3-0-12-1 - Port Hills End
JDP Oram 1* (1b) GP Sulzberger 0* (1b)

  23.1 Cunis to Oram, no run, forward, defends a full ball back on the leg
        side of the pitch
  23.2 Cunis to Oram, OUT: shortish rising ball outside off stump, Oram
        fiddles at one outside off stump, trying to run it away to third
        man, runs it directly off the face through to the keeper, Hopkins
        jumps up in the air in delight but umpire Bowden doesn't move

       Central Districts 81/6, Partnership of 0
       JDP Oram  c Hopkins b Cunis  1 (3b 0x4 0x6)
       GP Sulzberger 0* (1b) SJ Cunis 6.2-2-15-3 (1w)

       he then has to appeal at the umpire, while Cunis didn't react at
        all, it seemed that obvious to the Cantabrians, Oram stands back
        and looks guiltily towards the umpire, and after a bit of mucking
        about, umpire Bowden consults the third umpire Tony Hill,
       and after a few replays clearly show the deviation, and the sound
        is fed through too to prove the noise, the decision is given to
        Canterbury and Central are in huge trouble now
       a bit of controversy here, a very peculiar dismissal but it was a
        fair one in the end, Oram's on his way, though Sulzberger has a
        chat with the umpire, he doesn't seem too happy with the process
        of how it was given in the end
       Bevan Griggs the new batsman
  23.3 Cunis to Griggs, no run, leaves alone outside off stump
  23.4 Cunis to Griggs, no run, forward, defends down into the covers
  23.5 Cunis to Griggs, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts
        down through backward point, third man around to field but a
        slight misfield by Anderson concedes a second run
  23.6 Cunis to Griggs, no run, forward, firmly pushes down into the
        covers in defence

End of over 24 (2 runs) Central Districts 83/6 (RR: 3.46)
SJ Cunis 7-2-17-3 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 0* (1b) BBJ Griggs 2* (4b)

  24.1 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, driven straight back along the
        pitch to the bowler
  24.2 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, props well forward in defence,
        pushing it back on the leg side of the pitch
  24.3 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, full toss, driven strongly straight
        up to Stead at mid off, fires a direct hit back at the bowler's
        end though Griggs is well in his crease
  24.4 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, another full toss from around the
        wicket, and again driven straight up to Stead at mid off
  24.5 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, shorter ball, shuffles back and
        defends down to Harris at short midwicket
  24.6 Anderson to Sulzberger, no run, similar again, plays down to Harris
        in close on the leg side, a maiden

End of over 25 (maiden) Central Districts 83/6 (RR: 3.32)
CJ Anderson 4-1-12-1 - Port Hills End
BBJ Griggs 2* (4b) GP Sulzberger 0* (7b)

  25.1 Cunis to Griggs, no run, quicker ball pushed through, squared
        around as he tries to work it away, into the pad, half appeal but
        going well down leg
  25.2 Cunis to Griggs, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
        strongly down to Anderson at third man
  25.3 Cunis to Sulzberger, no run, straight ball, pushed straight into
        the covers
  25.4 Cunis to Sulzberger, no run, straight again, firmly punched
        straight up the ground to Redmond at mid off
  25.5 Cunis to Sulzberger, no run, well forward, defends up towards mid
        off, Redmond charges up to field once more
  25.6 Cunis to Sulzberger, no run, straight ball, shuffles across the
        crease to play it up the ground, directly to Stead at mid on

End of over 26 (1 run) Central Districts 84/6 (RR: 3.23)
SJ Cunis 8-2-18-3 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BBJ Griggs 3* (6b) GP Sulzberger 0* (11b)

       Burson returns, replacing Anderson at the Port Hills End
  26.1 Burson to Griggs, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends down
        on the off side of the pitch, Burson fields off his own bowling
  26.2 Burson to Griggs, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, hops on
        the crease to defend down towards point
  26.3 Burson to Griggs, no run, similar ball, defends from the crease
        back towards the bowler on his follow through
  26.4 Burson to Griggs, no run, shortish ball drifting into the body,
        worked away towards wide midwicket, thoughts of a run mostly by
        Sulzberger, but McMillan's quickly across to field from forward
        square leg
  26.5 Burson to Griggs, OUT: quick ball on a good length, hurries it
        through and seams back, striking in line with off stump and
        looking to go straight through, a good appeal is met with the
        raised finger by umpire Cowie

       Central Districts 84/7, Partnership of 3
       BBJ Griggs  lbw b Burson  3 (11b 0x4 0x6)
       GP Sulzberger 0* (11b) RD Burson 5.5-1-17-2

       Central in massive trouble, only Sulzberger really left with any
        genuine batting ability, Schwass and Thompson are useful but
        there's still over 23 overs left to bat out!
       Andrew Schwass the new batsman
  26.6 Burson to Schwass, no run, forward, defends back on the off side of
        the pitch to the bowler

End of over 27 (maiden) Central Districts 84/7 (RR: 3.11)
RD Burson 6-2-17-2 - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 0* (11b) AM Schwass 0* (1b)

       Chris Harris replaces Cunis at the Hadlee Stand End
  27.1 Harris to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball on off stump,
        Sulzberger stands back and tall, forcing it down to Astle in the
        covers
  27.2 Harris to Sulzberger, one run, straighter ball, just drifting into
        the pads a little, worked off the legs towards square leg for an
        easy run
  27.3 Harris to Schwass, wide: no run, wide ball drifting down the leg
        side, too wide according to umpire Bowden
  27.3 Harris to Schwass, no run, props forward in defence to a flatter,
        straight ball, rebounds back off the pad to the bowler
  27.4 Harris to Schwass, no run, squared around in defence, trying to
        work a shortish ball drifting to leg, struck on the thigh pad and
        drops dead in close on the leg side
       McMillan comes right in to a dangerously close silly point position
        with no helmet on for Schwass now
  27.5 Harris to Schwass, wide: one run, a tennis ball bouncer, dropped in
        rather short and down the leg side, Hopkins can't snaffle it up
        and two bonus runs are conceded
  27.5 Harris to Sulzberger, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
        strongly slapped down through the covers, not perfectly timed and
        the wind slows it up a bit, overhauled well inside the boundary
  27.6 Harris to Sulzberger, no run, props forward in defence, Harris
        slides one through past the outside edge, letting out a cry and
        puts hands on head as there's a suggestion of a faint nick through
        to Hopkins that is put down

End of over 28 (6 runs) Central Districts 90/7 (RR: 3.21)
CZ Harris 1-0-6-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
AM Schwass 0* (3b) GP Sulzberger 3* (15b)

  28.1 Burson to Schwass, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        strongly cut straight down to point
  28.2 Burson to Schwass, no run, shorter ball, hops on the crease to
        defend down in close, square on the off side, Harris in from
        backward point to field
  28.3 Burson to Schwass, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, opens
        the face to glide it away to Harris at backward point
  28.4 Burson to Schwass, no run, straighter ball, tucks it down in close
        on the leg side, both batsmen half set off for a quick run but
        have to stop and quickly scoot back as Burson charges up to field
        on his follow through, shying hard and flat at the keeper's end,
        missing as Schwass was safely back
  28.5 Burson to Schwass, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
        fiddles at it and misses trying to run it down to third man, a
        real 'out' shot that, not smart stuff in the situation
  28.6 Burson to Schwass, no run, guides it down straight to shortish
        backward point, and Burson completes two maidens in a row to begin
        his second spell

End of over 29 (maiden) Central Districts 90/7 (RR: 3.10)
RD Burson 7-3-17-2 - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 3* (15b) AM Schwass 0* (9b)

  29.1 Harris to Sulzberger, one run, angling down the leg side, well
        worked away through backward square leg for a leisurely single
       McMillan again comes in to a very close silly point for the new
        right handed batsman
  29.2 Harris to Schwass, one run, Harris gets a shortish ball to hurry
        through, Schwass just able to jab it away with bat/pad as it
        balloons in the air towards vacant square leg to get off the mark
  29.3 Harris to Sulzberger, no run, lovely floated delivery that drops
        right on Sulzberger's toes, just digging it back out to the bowler
  29.4 Harris to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        firmly guided away to Anderson at point
  29.5 Harris to Sulzberger, no run, forward, defends back on the leg side
        of the pitch
  29.6 Harris to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        guided down into the covers

End of over 30 (2 runs) Central Districts 92/7 (RR: 3.07)
CZ Harris 2-0-8-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
AM Schwass 1* (10b) GP Sulzberger 4* (20b)

  30.1 Burson to Schwass, no run, straight ball, squeezed back down the
        pitch in defence
  30.2 Burson to Schwass, one run, short ball outside off stump, tapped
        down through to Cunis at third man
       that's the first run off Burson in his second spell after 14 balls
  30.3 Burson to Sulzberger, one run, jumps down the track, driving at a
        shortish ball, gets a thick edge that flies down to Redmond at
        third man, not a good calculated shot under the circumstances,
        could've gone anywhere
  30.4 Burson to Schwass, bye: one run, plays and misses at a good tight,
        quick ball outside off stump, slides past the outside edge, sloppy
        keeping by Hopkins as he doesn't take it cleanly at a comfortable
        height, conceding the bye as it rolls away behind him, Redmond
        fields from fine leg
  30.5 Burson to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball, pushes back on the leg
        side of the pitch in defence
  30.6 Burson to Sulzberger, no run, short rising straight ball, fends it
        down in close on the leg side of the pitch in defence

End of over 31 (3 runs) Central Districts 95/7 (RR: 3.06)
RD Burson 8-3-19-2 - Port Hills End
AM Schwass 2* (13b) GP Sulzberger 5* (23b)

  31.1 Harris to Schwass, no run, floated full and straight on the toes,
        driven up to Cunis at mid on
  31.2 Harris to Schwass, no run, props well forward in defence, dead
        batting it in close on the off side
  31.3 Harris to Schwass, SIX, floated a bit full, Schwass' eyes light up
        and gets right underneath it, swinging it away hard and high over
        wide long on, nobody down there and the wind picks it up and helps
        it over, good clean hit brings up the Central 100
  31.4 Harris to Schwass, no run, forward in defence, comes back into the
        front pad, loud shout for lbw from Harris but turned down, perhaps
        just going marginally down the leg side
  31.5 Harris to Schwass, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
        away down through backward point, third man around to field in the
        deep
  31.6 Harris to Schwass, one run, guided away square on the off side for
        another single, retaining the strike

End of over 32 (9 runs) Central Districts 104/7 (RR: 3.25)
CZ Harris 3-0-17-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
AM Schwass 11* (19b 1x6) GP Sulzberger 5* (23b)

       McMillan returns at the Port Hills End, replacing Burson
  32.1 McMillan to Schwass, no run, very full ball outside off stump,
        Schwass stands back and plays all over it trying to chop it away
  32.2 McMillan to Schwass, one run, shortish ball climbs on Schwass
        propping forward in defence, gets one to fly unconvincingly off
        the blade down to third man, partly in the air, Cunis fields
  32.3 McMillan to Sulzberger, FOUR, short ball, sits up like a tennis
        ball, duly swatted down through forward square leg by Sulzberger
  32.4 McMillan to Sulzberger, one run, full, driven up wide of mid on for
        an easy single with the shot
  32.5 McMillan to Schwass, no run, beaten! excellent tight ball just
        outside off stump, Schwass pushes and misses from the crease, just
        beating the outside edge and the off stump, McMillan raises his
        hand partly excited before realising no chance
  32.6 McMillan to Schwass, no run, forward, defends back on the off side
        of the pitch

End of over 33 (6 runs) Central Districts 110/7 (RR: 3.33)
CD McMillan 3-0-18-0 (1nb) - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 10* (25b 1x4) AM Schwass 12* (23b 1x6)

       time for the second drinks break of the innings, Central in a
        sickly way, but this pair are offering a little bit of last hope
       Nathan Astle replaces Harris at the Hadlee Stand End after an
        expensive three overs, in the context of this match, at least
  33.1 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to a
        shortish quick ball
  33.2 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, shoulders arms once more outside off
        stump
  33.3 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, shortish straight ball, tucks it down
        straight to McMillan at midwicket
  33.4 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, stretching well forward, shoulders
        arms for a third time outside off stump through to Hopkins
  33.5 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, this time leaves the bat back well out
        of the way, Sulzberger playing a bit of Test cricket now
  33.6 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, quicker straight ball, hurries on to
        him trying to whip it away off the legs, into the top of the pad
        and drops down into the pitch in close on the leg side, looking
        for a run but stops in his tracks as Hopkins scoots around from
        behind the sticks

End of over 34 (maiden) Central Districts 110/7 (RR: 3.24)
NJ Astle 1-1-0-0 - Hadlee Stand End
AM Schwass 12* (23b 1x6) GP Sulzberger 10* (31b 1x4)

  34.1 McMillan to Schwass, no run, plays and misses outside off stump, a
        bit of a lazy waft trying to lay it away, McMillan dug it in a big
        quicker
  34.2 McMillan to Schwass, no run, beaten! a lovely ball that comes back
        in quite some way, Schwass feebly tried to defend from the crease,
        playing inside it, seams past the outside edge and over the off
        stump, lovely ball but no reward
       McMillan gives Schwass a few words of batting advice advancing on
        his follow through
  34.3 McMillan to Schwass, FOUR, Schwass clearly took it on board,
        guiding a shortish ball outside off stump wide of the slips, and
        crashing into the third man boundary as it's played too fine of
        Cunis down there
       McMillan feels he could still do a bit better, and gives him a few
        more words of 'friendly advice'
  34.4 McMillan to Schwass, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
        into the covers
  34.5 McMillan to Schwass, FOUR, short ball angling down the leg side,
        well swung away in the air through backward square leg, just wide
        of the leaping fielder inside the circle
  34.6 McMillan to Schwass, FOUR, full outside off stump, superbly driven
        away through extra cover, Schwass certainly has the final say in
        that over, taking 12 off it

End of over 35 (12 runs) Central Districts 122/7 (RR: 3.49)
CD McMillan 4-0-30-0 (1nb) - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 10* (31b 1x4) AM Schwass 24* (29b 3x4 1x6)

  35.1 Astle to Sulzberger, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        guides it away down to Martin at third man
  35.2 Astle to Schwass, OUT: Astle forces one through quicker just on off
        stump, Schwass is cramped up and has a little nibble, gets a clear
        edge straight through to Hopkins and this bothersome partnership
        for Canterbury is nipped in the bud

       Central Districts 123/8, Partnership of 39
       AM Schwass  c Hopkins b Astle  24 (30b 3x4 1x6)
       GP Sulzberger 11* (32b 1x4) NJ Astle 1.2-1-1-1

       the dominant partner in the equal highest partnership for Central
        departs, playing a useful, if all-too-short hand
       Ewen Thompson the new batsman
  35.3 Astle to Thompson, no run, full outside off stump, comes forward
        and plays a nice looking straight drive up to Cunis at mid off
  35.4 Astle to Thompson, no run, plays and misses, pushing at one sliding
        past him outside off stump
  35.5 Astle to Thompson, no run, full and straight, comes forward to
        defend directly back along the pitch to Astle
  35.6 Astle to Thompson, no run, reaching forward, defends up towards
        Cunis at widish mid off in defence

End of over 36 (1 run) Central Districts 123/8 (RR: 3.42)
NJ Astle 2-1-1-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 11* (32b 1x4) EP Thompson 0* (4b)

  36.1 McMillan to Sulzberger, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        guided down towards cover point, easy quick run as Doody's across
        to field
  36.2 McMillan to Thompson, no run, full ball outside off stump, walks
        forward into a defensive push straight up to Martin at mid off
  36.3 McMillan to Thompson, no run, shortish ball, walks forward to
        defend it down quietly into the covers
  36.4 McMillan to Thompson, OUT: short climbing straight ball, Thompson
        awkwardly fends at it, getting a glove on to it, playing it up
        into his elbow, dragging it back down on to his stumps!

       Central Districts 124/9, Partnership of 1
       EP Thompson  b McMillan  0 (7b 0x4 0x6)
       GP Sulzberger 12* (33b 1x4) CD McMillan 4.4-0-31-1 (1nb)

       McMillan charges through jubilantly, he's pumped up despite
        receiving a bit of beating in his spell, and gives Thompson his
        marching orders, Central now has one wicket left to bat out 80
        deliveries
       Brent Hefford the final batsman
  36.5 McMillan to Hefford, no run, forward, defends a straight ball back
        up the pitch on the off side
  36.6 McMillan to Hefford, no run, defends a similar ball away towards
        point

End of over 37 (1 run) Central Districts 124/9 (RR: 3.35)
CD McMillan 5-0-31-1 (1nb) - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 12* (33b 1x4) BE Hefford 0* (2b)

  37.1 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, forward to a tight ball rising on off
        stump, guides it down to Harris at backward point in defence
  37.2 Astle to Sulzberger, one run, full outside off stump, plays a very
        nice expansive off drive, but can't get back for a second to
        retain the strike as Cunis fields at long off
       Sulzberger comes all the way down the pitch to give his partner
        some advice as to how to see out the over
  37.3 Astle to Hefford, no run, forward, defends down to Stead in the
        covers
  37.4 Astle to Hefford, no run, reaching forward, guiding a ball on off
        stump down to Harris at shortish backward point
  37.5 Astle to Hefford, no run, straighter ball, stands tall to defend
        down to McMillan at midwicket
  37.6 Astle to Hefford, no run, reaches well forward outside off stump,
        missing through to the keeper

End of over 38 (1 run) Central Districts 125/9 (RR: 3.29)
NJ Astle 3-1-2-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 13* (35b 1x4) BE Hefford 0* (6b)

       umpire Bowden miscounts and allows a 7th ball in the order, looking
        up to the scoreboard which still shows 37.5 overs bowled
        incorrectly
  37.6 Astle to Hefford, two runs, and they get a bonus two off it,
        guiding an edge just wide of the gloves of Hopkins, third man
        around to field just inside the rope

End of over 38 (3 runs) Central Districts 127/9 (RR: 3.34)
NJ Astle 3-1-4-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 13* (35b 1x4) BE Hefford 2* (7b)

       Martin returns, replacing McMillan at the Port Hills End
  38.1 Martin to Sulzberger, no run, forward, drives firmly up to Stead at
        widish mid off
  38.2 Martin to Sulzberger, no run, looks to play then withdraw from a
        lovely short rising ball on off stump, just passing over the top
        through to the keeper, fine judgement
  38.3 Martin to Sulzberger, legbye: one run, squared around on the crease
        looking to clip a full ball away, rebounds from the base of the
        pads away towards cover, taking the single mid over for his tail-
        end partner to face
  38.4 Martin to Hefford, no run, forward, defends down into the covers
  38.5 Martin to Hefford, no run, lovely short rising ball outside off
        stump, pushes meekly from the crease a mile away from it,
        excellent bounce and carry through to the keeper
  38.6 Martin to Hefford, one run, full ball, well squeezed out back along
        the pitch past the bowler, gets a single and there was time for
        two but they spent too long checking whether to come or not,
        suddenly have to get back in their creases before embarrassment
        strikes

End of over 39 (2 runs) Central Districts 129/9 (RR: 3.31)
CS Martin 8-0-25-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
BE Hefford 3* (10b) GP Sulzberger 13* (38b 1x4)

  39.1 Astle to Hefford, one run, guides one outside off stump down
        through to Martin at third man
  39.2 Astle to Sulzberger, one run, full and straight, driven down to
        Redmond at long on
  39.3 Astle to Hefford, no run, beaten by a straight ball that goes
        through the gate, just sliding past everything through to Hopkins
  39.4 Astle to Hefford, no run, forward, beaten past the outside edge
        outside off stump once more
  39.5 Astle to Hefford, no run, goes for a bit of a swing, mistiming a
        full ball up towards Redmond at widish mid on
  39.6 Astle to Hefford, no run, pushes from the crease at one in defence,
        plays and misses, half-hearted appeals from the keeper and short
        third man to no avail, Hefford survives another over

End of over 40 (2 runs) Central Districts 131/9 (RR: 3.28)
NJ Astle 4-1-6-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 14* (39b 1x4) BE Hefford 4* (15b)

  40.1 Martin to Sulzberger, two runs, slightly overpitched, well driven
        straight up the ground on the leg side, long off around to field
        in the deep
  40.2 Martin to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends
        from the crease towards McMillan at extra cover
  40.3 Martin to Sulzberger, no run, quick straight rising ball, awkwardly
        fended down from the body in close on the leg side who drops to
        one knee to regain balance, Martin charges through to field off
        his own bowling
  40.4 Martin to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball, a bit tight to do much
        with, Sulzberger playing it at a height from the crease, bottom
        edging into the deck on the off side
  40.5 Martin to Sulzberger, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        steers it down to Redmond at third man
  40.6 Martin to Hefford, no run, short ball on off stump, stands on the
        crease and able dead bat defends it down on the off side

End of over 41 (3 runs) Central Districts 134/9 (RR: 3.27)
CS Martin 9-0-28-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 17* (44b 1x4) BE Hefford 4* (16b)

  41.1 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, stands tall on the crease, crashing it
        down the ground to Cunis at long off, but as it's the first ball
        of the over Sulzberger turns down the single, interesting move
  41.2 Astle to Sulzberger, two runs, full ball, driven straight down the
        ground, they hurry for the first and take the second as Cunis
        struggles in the deep in front of the sightscreen and they get
        back safely for the second
  41.3 Astle to Sulzberger, one run, full and straight, driven down to
        Redmond at long on
  41.4 Astle to Hefford, no run, defends at a shortish ball, gets a clear
        nick through to Hopkins who fumbles, then dives at a second take
        but can't get to it, a chance goes astray
  41.5 Astle to Hefford, no run, defends down to Harris at shortish
        backward point
  41.6 Astle to Hefford, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to a
        widish ball

End of over 42 (3 runs) Central Districts 137/9 (RR: 3.26)
NJ Astle 5-1-9-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 20* (47b 1x4) BE Hefford 4* (19b)

  42.1 Martin to Sulzberger, no run, short ball, tries to swing it away
        but misplays it, trickles down to vacant square leg, but turns
        down the easy run on offer on the first ball of the over once more
  42.2 Martin to Sulzberger, one run, drives at a full ball, gets a
        fortuitous inside edge along the ground down to Cunis at fine leg,
        sprints the first run hard but no second on offer here, Hefford
        must face up for a few balls once more
  42.3 Martin to Hefford, no run, poking forward in defence to one outside
        off stump, streakily runs it away to Harris at backward square
        leg, parrying it down in front of him
  42.4 Martin to Hefford, one run, low full toss, pushed up past the
        bowler, easy two on offer but strangely Sulzberger turns down the
        second this time, with only two balls left in the over!
  42.5 Martin to Sulzberger, one run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
        worked down to Cunis at long leg, he should get the strike back
        again safely for the new over
  42.6 Martin to Hefford, one run, full ball outside off stump, nudges it
        away in the air wide of point, time for an easy couple again but
        Hefford slips over at the bowler's end turning for it, and
        Redmond's throw from the deep forces them to stay where they are,
        Hefford will have to

End of over 43 (4 runs) Central Districts 141/9 (RR: 3.28)
CS Martin 10-0-32-1 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
BE Hefford 6* (22b) GP Sulzberger 22* (50b 1x4)

       face up once more!
       Martin ends his 10 overs with an tidy 1-32 coming from them
  43.1 Astle to Hefford, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
  43.2 Astle to Hefford, no run, and again, through to Hopkins
  43.3 Astle to Hefford, no run, forward, defends a straight ball on off
        stump up towards mid off, Astle across to intercept it himself
  43.4 Astle to Hefford, one run, runs it away backward of point, gets the
        easy single on offer
  43.5 Astle to Sulzberger, two runs, scoops it over extra cover into the
        deep, interesting shot that gains them a couple as Anderson from
        deep cover has to get around and field
  43.6 Astle to Sulzberger, no run, plays and misses outside off stump at
        a quicker one pushed through

End of over 44 (3 runs) Central Districts 144/9 (RR: 3.27)
NJ Astle 6-1-12-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BE Hefford 7* (26b) GP Sulzberger 24* (52b 1x4)

       Burson returns, replacing Martin who has bowled out at the Port
        Hills End
  44.1 Burson to Hefford, legbye: one run, shortish ball angling down leg,
        glanced off the thigh pad very fine wide of the keeper, Cunis just
        fields inside the rope, Sulzberger turns down the easy second on
        offer to gain strike
  44.2 Burson to Sulzberger, one run, full ball, drives hard and squirts
        away an inside edge along the ground out towards Harris at deep
        square leg
  44.3 Burson to Hefford, one run, full ball, whipped away towards Harris
        at square leg, misfields as they scurry for a quick single
  44.4 Burson to Sulzberger, FOUR, overpitched, Sulzberger picks it off
        very well, through wide midwicket and brings up the 150
       this is turning into a very annoying partnership for the home team,
        and given that Canterbury t themselves managed to defend a modest
        total at Napier, maybe this one isn't over yet!
  44.5 Burson to Sulzberger, one run, full outside off stump, driven up to
        long off for an easy run
  44.6 Burson to Hefford, no run, angling down the leg side, glanced off
        the thigh pad, good diving stop by Hopkins to his right prevents
        the run

End of over 45 (8 runs) Central Districts 152/9 (RR: 3.38)
RD Burson 9-3-26-2 - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 30* (55b 2x4) BE Hefford 8* (29b)

  45.1 Astle to Sulzberger, one run, has a big swing through the line,
        lofting down towards Cunis at long off, fielded on the bounce as
        it's not perfectly played
  45.2 Astle to Hefford, no run, forward, works a full ball away forward
        of square leg, Doody across to field from square
  45.3 Astle to Hefford, FOUR, stand tall and slaps it hard back over the
        bowler's head, useful shot! beats the chase of Redmond from mid on
       now Redmond's pushed back to long on as a result! this pair
        starting to embarrass their own top order and Canterbury
  45.4 Astle to Hefford, no run, quicker ball climbs outside off stump,
        past the probing outside edge
  45.5 Astle to Hefford, one run, runs an outside edge past the keeper,
        Martin around at third man to field
  45.6 Astle to Sulzberger, one run, stands tall on the crease, pushing a
        straight ball up towards Redmond at long on with ease to retain
        the strike

End of over 46 (7 runs) Central Districts 159/9 (RR: 3.46)
NJ Astle 7-1-19-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GP Sulzberger 32* (57b 2x4) BE Hefford 13* (33b 1x4)

  46.1 Burson to Sulzberger, FOUR, full outside off stump, Sulzberger
        comes forward and frees the arms, driving it strongly through wide
        mid off, past Stead at deepish mid off who's left stumbling as it
        passes him
  46.2 Burson to Sulzberger, one run, low straight full toss, driven down
        to Martin at long on, and this is now the highest partnership of
        the innings!
  46.3 Burson to Hefford, no run, pushes back on the off side of the
        pitch, three fielders converge on to the ball
  46.4 Burson to Hefford, no run, pushed straight back down the pitch to
        the bowler
  46.5 Burson to Hefford, no run, full outside off stump, pushes quietly
        back down the pitch to the bowler
  46.6 Burson to Hefford, no run, shortish ball on off stump, guides it
        away to Harris at backward point

End of over 47 (5 runs) Central Districts 164/9 (RR: 3.49)
RD Burson 10-3-31-2 - Port Hills End
GP Sulzberger 37* (59b 3x4) BE Hefford 13* (37b 1x4)

       Burson bowls out his 10 overs, taking 2-31
       Cunis replaces Astle at the Hadlee Stand End, with 3 overs to bowl
        and Canterbury still unable to break the infuriatingly good
        partnership for the 10th wicket
  47.1 Cunis to Sulzberger, no run, shortish ball, powerfully swung away
        but directly to McMillan making a fair stop at midwicket on the
        circle's edge
  47.2 Cunis to Sulzberger, FOUR, full and straight, cracking lofted
        straight drive back over the bowler's head, cracking blow into the
        hoardings in front of the sightscreen, Redmond can't cut it off
        from long on
  47.3 Cunis to Sulzberger, one run, lofted down the ground in similar
        fashion, this time straight down to Redmond on the bounce
  47.4 Cunis to Hefford, one run, tight ball on off stump, nudged away
        towards vacant over for an easy single
  47.5 Cunis to Sulzberger, one run, low full toss angling on leg stump,
        well clipped away out to Doody at deep square leg
  47.6 Cunis to Hefford, one run, another low full toss, turned out
        towards Doody once again

End of over 48 (8 runs) Central Districts 172/9 (RR: 3.58)
SJ Cunis 9-2-26-3 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BE Hefford 15* (39b 1x4) GP Sulzberger 43* (63b 4x4)

       Astle switches ends, replacing Burson who has bowled out at the
        Port Hills End
  48.1 Astle to Hefford, one run, shortish climbing ball outside off
        stump, pushes forward at it and a gets a thick edge fly towards
        Doody at backward point, dives forward but doesn't take the catch,
        squeezes under the hands, down to third man
  48.2 Astle to Sulzberger, OUT: at last it's over, one run short of a
        heroic 50 run partnership, Sulzberger looking to smash it over the
        top but spoons up a simple catch to Anderson going a few paces
        back at extra cover from the leading edge

       Central Districts 173/10, Partnership of 49
       GP Sulzberger  c Anderson b Astle  43 (64b 4x4 0x6)
       BE Hefford 16* (40b 1x4) NJ Astle 7.2-1-20-2

       Central are dismissed for just 1 run less than what Canterbury
        successfully defended at Napier, so this game may not be all over
        yet, thanks chiefly to this remarkable partnership
       still it is by and large a hugely disappointing total on a very
        good, if not completely batsman-friendly pitch, and the dismal run
        of low scores by most teams in this season's Shell Cup has
        continued
       Sulzberger top scored, with a gutsy 43 after seeing a few wickets
        fall at the other end early on in his innings, but found a real
        trooper in Hefford to keep their hopes alive
       a consistent bowling effort for Canterbury, though McMillan and
        Harris struggled, with Cunis and Martin looking the best picks of
        the day
       Canterbury will come out and chase 174 runs for victory at a
        required run rate of 3.48 per over in just over 40 minutes time at
        6:30pm local time (0530 GMT)

Match State: Innings Break

       the players return and it'll be Ewen Thompson to open the bowling
        from the Port Hills End to Brad Doody, with Nathan Astle at the
        non-striker's end
   0.1 Thompson to Doody, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, guided
        down from a height to Smith at backward point
   0.2 Thompson to Doody, two runs, overpitched on the legs, well clipped
        away out through midwicket, Oram chases it down from inside the
        circle, just inside the rope
   0.3 Thompson to Doody, (noball) no run, oversteps, defends a straight
        ball down towards square leg
   0.3 Thompson to Doody, two runs, overpitched, well straight driven back
        down the ground past the bowler, another chase for Oram from wider
   0.4 Thompson to Doody, no run, defends a straight shortish ball away
        towards Sulzberger in the covers
   0.5 Thompson to Doody, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guides
        it down off the face to Hefford at third man
   0.6 Thompson to Astle, wide: no run, high full toss, well down the leg
        side, straight through to the keeper as Astle barely has a go at
        tickling it away
   0.6 Thompson to Astle, no run, full and straight on off stump,
        watchfully driven straight up to Oram at mid off

End of over 1 (7 runs) Canterbury 7/0 (RR: 7.00 RRR: 167/49 = 3.41)
EP Thompson 1-0-7-0 (1w 1nb) - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 5* (6b) NJ Astle 0* (1b)

       Brent Hefford to bowl from the Hadlee Stand End
   1.1 Hefford to Doody, one run, shortish straight ball, tucked away
        towards midwicket for an easy single with teh stroke
   1.2 Hefford to Astle, no run, good tight straight ball, inside edges
        into the top of the pad as it comes right back off the seam,
        dropping right at his feet
   1.3 Hefford to Astle, no run, shortish ball angling down the leg side,
        hops up on one leg to pull it away but misplays it down towards
        square leg
   1.4 Hefford to Astle, no run, leaves alone outside off stump
   1.5 Hefford to Astle, OUT: similar ball to that a couple of deliveries
        ago, pulls it away from outside off stump, but in the air straight
        to Douglas at square leg

       Canterbury 8/1, Partnership of 8
       NJ Astle  c Douglas b Hefford  0 (5b 0x4 0x6)
       BJK Doody 6* (7b) BE Hefford 0.5-0-1-1

       Astle's run of failures after his century against Otago is
        extended, and Central breathe early life into their hopes in the
        defence of their meagre total
       interestingly promoted to number three is Stephen Cunis from well
        down the order
   1.6 Hefford to Cunis, no run, forward, quick ball seans back in to take
        the top of the front pad, half appeal from behind the stumps but
        striking just outside off stump

End of over 2 (1 run) Canterbury 8/1 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 166/48 = 3.46)
BE Hefford 1-0-1-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 6* (7b) SJ Cunis 0* (1b)

   2.1 Thompson to Doody, bye: one run, plays and misses outside off
        stump, sloppy keeping by Griggs lets a regulation take go straight
        through him, conceding a bye as Schwass has to field from fine leg
   2.2 Thompson to Cunis, no run, props forward in defence to a good line
        and length ball outside off stump, playing back on the off side of
        the pitch
   2.3 Thompson to Cunis, no run, stretches well forward, defending down
        to Sulzberger in the covers
   2.4 Thompson to Cunis, (noball) no run, oversteps, short rising ball
        outside off stump, defends down square on the off side
   2.4 Thompson to Cunis, no run, full outside off stump, stroked straight
        up to Oram at wide mid off
   2.5 Thompson to Cunis, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, well
        crashed away along the ground through the covers, evades the
        diving Sulzberger
   2.6 Thompson to Cunis, no run, stretches forward in defence, inside
        edges into the front pad and drops down in close on the off side

End of over 3 (6 runs) Canterbury 14/1 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 160/47 = 3.40)
EP Thompson 2-0-12-0 (1w 2nb) - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 6* (8b) SJ Cunis 4* (7b 1x4)

   3.1 Hefford to Doody, one run, driving outside off stump, runs a thick
        outside edge along the ground down to third man
   3.2 Hefford to Cunis, no run, short climbing ball on off stump, hops on
        the crease to defend down in close on the off side, Sulzberger in
        to field from cover
   3.3 Hefford to Cunis, no run, tight on off stump, watchfully pushes it
        away towards cover point, Smith across to field from squarer
   3.4 Hefford to Cunis, no run, Hefford bowling an impeccable line, Cunis
        is forced to prop forward and defend down into the covers
   3.5 Hefford to Cunis, no run, shortish straight ball, squared around
        trying to work it through the leg side, rebounds from the thigh
        pad towards point
   3.6 Hefford to Cunis, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        strongly cut down to Kelly at third man

End of over 4 (2 runs) Canterbury 16/1 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 158/46 = 3.43)
BE Hefford 2-0-3-1 - Hadlee Stand End
SJ Cunis 5* (12b 1x4) BJK Doody 7* (9b)

   4.1 Thompson to Cunis, no run, full outside off stump, goes for a big
        shot straight down the ground but doesn't quite reach the pitch of
        the ball fully, mistimes it along the ground up to Kelly at mid on
   4.2 Thompson to Cunis, no run, very full ball just outside off stump
        and angling away from the right hander, Cunis tries to thrash this
        one through the covers but plays over the top of it, jamming it
        into the ground, letting it trickly up towards sub fielder West at
        mid off
   4.3 Thompson to Cunis, no run, forward, pushes back on the off side of
        the pitch firmly once more
   4.4 Thompson to Cunis, no run, short outside off stump, slashing cut
        shot played but straight to Douglas at point
   4.5 Thompson to Cunis, no run, forward, chops one down in close on the
        off side from a bottom edge, Thompson cramping Cunis up too much
        to be played away freely on the off side
   4.6 Thompson to Cunis, two runs, full and angling away outside off
        stump, Cunis launches into a big shot over the top but gets right
        under it as the front foot planted down the pitch and didn't get
        near it, but the wind drifts it a long way away from Sulzberger
        running back in the

End of over 5 (2 runs) Canterbury 18/1 (RR: 3.60 RRR: 156/45 = 3.47)
EP Thompson 3-0-14-0 (1w 2nb) - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 7* (9b) SJ Cunis 7* (18b 1x4)

       covers and he gets away with it, pitching in the deep and they grab
        a couple
   5.1 Hefford to Doody, no run, steps forward into a full ball, tries to
        clip it through the leg side but misses, crashes into the front
        pad, no appeal as it pitched outside leg stump
   5.2 Hefford to Doody, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
        stands tall on the crease to defend it down towards point,
        Sinclair up from gully to field
   5.3 Hefford to Doody, one run, quicker ball pushed through but angling
        down the leg side, well worked away down to Kelly at long leg
   5.4 Hefford to Cunis, no run, shortish straight ball, opens the face to
        guide it away towards backward point, Sinclair dives to his right
        to save it in the gully
   5.5 Hefford to Cunis, one run, driving outside off stump, trying to
        force one on the up through the covers but drags it around the
        corner, down through backward square leg
   5.6 Hefford to Doody, no run, steps forward to defend, stabs down on it
        and gets it from the underface of the bat down through to the
        keeper, peculiar 'shot' but safely gets away with it

End of over 6 (2 runs) Canterbury 20/1 (RR: 3.33 RRR: 154/44 = 3.50)
BE Hefford 3-0-5-1 - Hadlee Stand End
SJ Cunis 8* (20b 1x4) BJK Doody 8* (13b)

   6.1 Thompson to Cunis, one run, stands tall and drives strongly back up
        the ground on the leg side, fine fielding by Kelly diving to his
        left, but only partially slows it down, conceding the single as
        it's parried away towards mid off
   6.2 Thompson to Doody, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guides
        it off the face down towards Hefford at third amn
   6.3 Thompson to Cunis, no run, shortish straight ball on off stump,
        stands on the crease to defend with a dead bat down in close on
        the off side, Sulzberger in to field from cover
   6.4 Thompson to Cunis, no run, full ball on leg stump, Cunis shuffles
        across to off to work it away up towards wide mid on
   6.5 Thompson to Cunis, no run, short rising straight ball, Cunis hops
        on the crease, awkwardly defending down into the covers, lined up
        the cut shot but it hurried on to him, taking it high on the bat
   6.6 Thompson to Cunis, no run, another good ball on a back of a length
        tucks Cunis up, jumping on the crease to dead bat it down in close
        on the off side

End of over 7 (2 runs) Canterbury 22/1 (RR: 3.14 RRR: 152/43 = 3.53)
EP Thompson 4-0-16-0 (1w 2nb) - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 9* (14b) SJ Cunis 9* (25b 1x4)

   7.1 Hefford to Doody, no run, shuffling across on the crease, Doody on
        the move by a quicker ball that seams back into the top of the
        front pad, big shout from bowler alone but umpire Bowden shakes
        the head, rebounding away towards point
       a fair shout but looked to be perhaps a fraction high and drifting
        on leg stump
   7.2 Hefford to Doody, no run, forward, defends down a fair length ball
        into the covers
   7.3 Hefford to Doody, one run, full outside off stump, driven up
        towards wide mid off, quick single scampered with the shot, a bit
        relaxed by Doody as a direct hit comes in from Schwass but he was
        just home safely and no replay is called for by umpire Bowden
   7.4 Hefford to Cunis, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump, Cunis
        advances down the track and slaps it in somewhat unconventional
        fashion over cover, aerial but safe and away to the boundary
   7.5 Hefford to Cunis, no run, much tighter ball on off stump sees Cunis
        well back on his crease, more quietly pushing away towards Smith
        at point
   7.6 Hefford to Cunis, no run, Cunis has another go at one, big swing
        and a miss from the crease to one sliding past not too far by the
        off stump, Hefford says a gentle word or two to round out the
        over, not impressed with a pinch-hitter taking to him

End of over 8 (5 runs) Canterbury 27/1 (RR: 3.38 RRR: 147/42 = 3.50)
BE Hefford 4-0-10-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 10* (17b) SJ Cunis 13* (28b 2x4)

   8.1 Thompson to Doody, no run, shortish ball held back a little outside
        off stump, Doody misplays it down from an underedge in close
        square on the off side
   8.2 Thompson to Doody, FOUR, short rising ball outside off stump, Doody
        slices it just wide and high of Sinclair at second slip, too
        quickly down to the boundary for Hefford at third man
   8.3 Thompson to Doody, no run, dear oh dear, a chance goes begging,
        Doody drives at another uppish ball outside off stump, flies
        straight towards Smith at backward point, makes a terrible hash of
        it, hitting him in the leg low down and rebounding away
       the sun clearly troubling him as he simply failed to sight it soon
        enough
   8.4 Thompson to Doody, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guided
        away backward of Smith this time, Hefford around to field from
        third man
   8.5 Thompson to Cunis, one run, short rising ball outside off stump,
        cut in the air down to Schwass at third man
   8.6 Thompson to Doody, two runs, short ball outside off stump, guided
        down through backward point, Doody scampers back for a very tight
        second as Hefford has to charge in from the deep at third man to
        field, a decidedly average return to the keeper fails to challenge

End of over 9 (8 runs) Canterbury 35/1 (RR: 3.89 RRR: 139/41 = 3.39)
EP Thompson 5-0-24-0 (1w 2nb) - Port Hills End
SJ Cunis 14* (29b 2x4) BJK Doody 17* (22b 1x4)

       Jacob Oram brings himself on, replacing Hefford at the Hadlee Stand
        End
   9.1 Oram to Cunis, no run, straight ball on middle stump right away on
        to the right line and length, Cunis watchfully defends from the
        crease, quietly patting it back on the off side of the pitch,
        fielded by the obwler on his follow through
   9.2 Oram to Cunis, FOUR, Cunis charges and gets away with another wild
        swipe, getting a huge top edge over the slips, too straight for
        Kelly at third man, just bouncing inside the rope, tried to hoick
        it over midwicket and had little initial idea as to where that was
        going
   9.3 Oram to Cunis, no run, short rising ball outside off stump, cut
        down to Smith at point
   9.4 Oram to Cunis, no run, similar ball, a bit straighter and Cunis
        gives himself a bit of room to guide it away towards Smith once
        more
   9.5 Oram to Cunis, no run, three in a row, nudged directly to Smith
        hovering at point
   9.6 Oram to Cunis, no run, stretches well forward down the line of a
        full ball on off stump, defends watchfully back up on the leg side
        of the pitch to Oram on his follow through

End of over 10 (4 runs) Canterbury 39/1 (RR: 3.90 RRR: 135/40 = 3.38)
JDP Oram 1-0-4-0 - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 17* (22b 1x4) SJ Cunis 18* (35b 3x4)

  10.1 Thompson to Doody, no run, full ball outside off stump, sweetly
        driven on the front foot but directly played to Sulzberger at
        cover
  10.2 Thompson to Doody, one run, short ball angling on leg stump, tucked
        off the body down to Schwass at fine leg
  10.3 Thompson to Cunis, no run, shortish ball on off stump, Cunis gives
        himself some room but nudges it away down towards Douglas at
        backward point, unable to pierce the stong off side field
  10.4 Thompson to Cunis, FOUR, Cunis gets away with yet another streaky
        slash outside off stump, this one to a fair length ball that he
        looked to play over cover, but flies off the top edge, over the
        slips and too quick and straight for Schwass at third man
  10.5 Thompson to Cunis, (noball) no run, oversteps, short straight ball
        forces him back in the crease, defends back on the leg side of the
        pitch
  10.5 Thompson to Cunis, one run, unbelievable! Cunis does it once more,
        lofting one just wide and clear of Oram running back from wide mid
        off, completely mis-hitting this one as well, just being beaten a
        bit often for pace when playing these strokes
  10.6 Thompson to Doody, no run, quicker climbing ball on middle and leg,
        Doody awkwardly tries to fend it down but almost drops it back
        down on to his stumps as it bounces in the crease and he has to
        watchfully guard it away

End of over 11 (7 runs) Canterbury 46/1 (RR: 4.18 RRR: 128/39 = 3.28)
EP Thompson 6-0-31-0 (1w 3nb) - Port Hills End
SJ Cunis 23* (39b 4x4) BJK Doody 18* (25b 1x4)

  11.1 Oram to Cunis, one run, opens the face, running a shortish ball
        down off the face to Kelly at third man
  11.2 Oram to Doody, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Doody defends
        from the crease back down the pitch to the bowler
  11.3 Oram to Doody, one run, full outside off stump, firmly pushed up
        towards wide mid off, very quick single taken with the shot, Doody
        sliding home to beat the Schwass throw missing at the bowler's end
  11.4 Oram to Cunis, OUT: and at long last Cunis falls from a streaky
        skied shot, scooping one straight up in the air, Sulzberger ran
        back from cover, just avoiding the mid off man converging on the
        ball too, but takes a good safe catch

       Canterbury 48/2, Partnership of 40
       SJ Cunis  c Sulzberger b Oram  24 (41b 4x4 0x6)
       BJK Doody 19* (27b 1x4) JDP Oram 1.4-0-6-1

       whilst being a pinch-hitter, Central will be happy to see another
        one down to boost confidence, they certainly aren't shut out of
        this game just yet, though Craig McMillan strolls to the crease
        now, having said that
  11.5 Oram to Doody, no run, good quick climbing ball outside off stump,
        Doody awkwardly fends at it before trying to withdraw late,
        through to Griggs
  11.6 Oram to Doody, no run, shoulders arms more resolutely to one
        passing through outside off stump

End of over 12 (2 runs) Canterbury 48/2 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 126/38 = 3.32)
JDP Oram 2-0-6-1 - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 0* (0b) BJK Doody 19* (29b 1x4)

       Hefford switches ends, replacing Thompson at the Port Hills End
  12.1 Hefford to McMillan, OUT: a huge wicket! and what a bowling change
        it is by Oram, Hefford pushes a quick one through on McMillan,
        seaming back sharply into the front pad as he shuffled across on
        the crease, huge appeal for lbw and up goes the dreaded finger of
        umpire

       Canterbury 48/3, Partnership of 0
       CD McMillan  lbw b Hefford  0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
       BJK Doody 19* (29b 1x4) BE Hefford 4.1-0-10-2

       McMillan gone for a golden duck, Astle gone for a plain aluminium
        duck, and the internationals aren't having a very happy day today
        all of a sudden, and Central's confidence is high
       Gary Stead the new batsman
  12.2 Hefford to Stead, bye: FOUR, angling down the leg side and moving
        further away, Griggs makes a very sloppy attempt at taking it down
        the leg side, through the gloves and down to the boundary to bring
        up Canterbury's 50
  12.3 Hefford to Stead, no run, squared around by a lovely straight
        climbing delivery, opens the face to guide it away to backward
        point
  12.4 Hefford to Stead, one run, nudged away towards wide mid on, time
        for an easy run with the shot to get off the mark
  12.5 Hefford to Doody, no run, forward, defends down in close on the leg
        side from the pad as it drifts in
  12.6 Hefford to Doody, no run, watchfully defends from the crease,
        dropping it from eeh dead bat down in close on the off side

End of over 13 (5 runs) Canterbury 53/3 (RR: 4.08 RRR: 121/37 = 3.27)
BE Hefford 5-0-11-2 - Port Hills End
GR Stead 1* (3b) BJK Doody 19* (31b 1x4)

  13.1 Oram to Stead, no run, leaves alone a widish ball outside off stump
  13.2 Oram to Stead, no run, leaves alone outside off stump once more
  13.3 Oram to Stead, one run, angling down the leg side, well picked off
        the legs down through backward square, Hefford up from fine leg to
        field
  13.4 Oram to Doody, no run, straight ball, shuffles across the crease to
        defend down in close on the leg side
  13.5 Oram to Doody, FOUR, Oram comes around the wicket to the left-
        hander, but to no avail as he drops it in too short, Doody swings
        it away hard over forward square leg
  13.6 Oram to Doody, no run, leaves alone outside off stump through to
        Griggs

End of over 14 (5 runs) Canterbury 58/3 (RR: 4.14 RRR: 116/36 = 3.22)
JDP Oram 3-0-11-1 - Hadlee Stand End
GR Stead 2* (6b) BJK Doody 23* (34b 2x4)

  14.1 Hefford to Stead, wide: no run, well wide down the leg side, Stead
        gives a token swing at it but it's too wide
  14.1 Hefford to Stead, OUT: straight climbing ball, Stead hops back in
        the crease, awkwardly trying to defend it away but it spoons up
        towards Smith who takes the easiest of catches at square leg and
        suddenly the jitters are filtering through the Canterbury camp

       Canterbury 59/4, Partnership of 11
       GR Stead  c Smith b Hefford  2 (7b 0x4 0x6)
       BJK Doody 23* (34b 2x4) BE Hefford 5.1-0-12-3 (1w)

       Chris Harris the new batsman, once more required to rescue things,
        can he do it so often repeatedly? if Central nab him relatively
        cheaply, it could spell huge trouble for the home team and this
        finals series will be well alive
  14.2 Hefford to Harris, no run, forward, jumps forward in defence,
        playing it down to Sulzberger in the covers
  14.3 Hefford to Harris, no run, squared around on the crease trying to
        work a shortish ball to leg, taken high on the pad and drops away
        towards Smith at point
  14.4 Hefford to Harris, no run, steps forward down the track,
        shouldering arms outside off stump
  14.5 Hefford to Harris, no run, once more, forward and shoulders arms
        outside off stump
  14.6 Hefford to Harris, one run, shortish ball angling down the leg
        side, turned down to Schwass at long leg, off the mark

End of over 15 (2 runs) Canterbury 60/4 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 114/35 = 3.26)
BE Hefford 6-0-13-3 (1w) - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 1* (5b) BJK Doody 23* (34b 2x4)

       Andrew Schwass replaces Oram at the Hadlee Stand End
  15.1 Schwass to Harris, no run, props forward in defence to one outside
        off stump, played away towards Douglas at cover point
  15.2 Schwass to Harris, one run, angling on leg stump, helped on its way
        down to Kelly at long leg
  15.3 Schwass to Doody, wide: no run, angling down the leg side once
        more, Doody tries to clip it away but misses, the infield half
        appeals for a nick through to the keeper but umpire Bowden has no
        regard for that, signalling wide
  15.3 Schwass to Doody, no run, straight ball, steps forward down the
        line of it, defending back on the leg side of the pitch quietly
  15.4 Schwass to Doody, no run, shortish rising ball on leg stump,
        defends down towards wide midwicket, Sinclair across to field
  15.5 Schwass to Doody, no run, similar again, this time standing tall,
        firmly stroking it along the ground straight to Sinclair
  15.6 Schwass to Doody, no run, full outside off stump, powerfully driven
        along the ground but straight to Sulzberger in the covers

End of over 16 (2 runs) Canterbury 62/4 (RR: 3.88 RRR: 112/34 = 3.29)
AM Schwass 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 2* (7b) BJK Doody 23* (38b 2x4)

       time for a drinks break, with some reflective contemplation
        required by Canterbury, who'll have to take a completely different
        approach to the next stanza of play if they aren't to embarrass
        themselves
  16.1 Hefford to Harris, no run, jumps forward into a firm push to a full
        ball, played straight to Sulzberger in the covers
  16.2 Hefford to Harris, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        shuffles back them comes forward to defend up towards mid off,
        Kelly in to field from the circle edge
  16.3 Hefford to Harris, no run, short ball outside off stump, stands
        tall to guide it down to Smith at backward point
  16.4 Hefford to Harris, no run, shuffles across the crease, squared
        around in defence, getting one to rebound back off the closed face
        back on the off side of the pitch
  16.5 Hefford to Harris, no run, forward, defends away towards wide
        midwicket
  16.6 Hefford to Harris, no run, steps well forward into a defensive
        pushed, played out to Sulzberger in the covers, Hefford completes
        the first maiden of the innings

End of over 17 (maiden) Canterbury 62/4 (RR: 3.65 RRR: 112/33 = 3.39)
BE Hefford 7-1-13-3 (1w) - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 23* (38b 2x4) CZ Harris 2* (13b)

  17.1 Schwass to Doody, no run, good length ball seaming sharply back
        into the top of the front pad, Schwass quickly stifles thoughts of
        an appeal, struck outside the line of off stump
  17.2 Schwass to Doody, no run, forward, strokes away firmly into the
        covers
  17.3 Schwass to Doody, FOUR, a bit short, sits up and Doody latches on
        to it very well, pulling hard and high over wide midwicket, just
        landing inside the rope
  17.4 Schwass to Doody, one run, shortish ball again, pulled away through
        square leg this time, with Smith now out there in the deep
  17.5 Schwass to Harris, no run, comes well forward down the line of the
        ball, watchfully caressing it straight back along the deck to
        Schwass, who threatens to have a shy back at the stumps as Harris
        hovered about his crease
  17.6 Schwass to Harris, no run, well forward, firmly stroked down into
        the covers

End of over 18 (5 runs) Canterbury 67/4 (RR: 3.72 RRR: 107/32 = 3.34)
AM Schwass 2-0-7-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 28* (42b 3x4) CZ Harris 2* (15b)

       Oram brings himself back, replacing Hefford at the Port Hills End
  18.1 Oram to Doody, no run, forward, defends a ball from outside off
        stump down towards Sulzberger scooting in to field from cover
  18.2 Oram to Doody, no run, tighter ball on off stump, watchfully
        defends from the crease down towards backward point
  18.3 Oram to Doody, no run, short ball outside off stump, Doody plays an
        odd, lazy push at it, getting a thick bottom edge to drop down
        into the ground, just wide of the stumps through to the keeper,
        brings a few worried 'ooh's from the crowd
  18.4 Oram to Doody, FOUR, a bit short and a bit wide, sits up like a
        tennis ball on this spongyish surface, well dispatched through
        cover point to the boundary standing tall and delivering
  18.5 Oram to Doody, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, defends
        down in close on the leg side
  18.6 Oram to Doody, one run, well worked away through backward point for
        an easy single to Smith fielding in the deep

End of over 19 (5 runs) Canterbury 72/4 (RR: 3.79 RRR: 102/31 = 3.29)
JDP Oram 4-0-16-1 - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 33* (48b 4x4) CZ Harris 2* (15b)

  19.1 Schwass to Doody, no run, slower ball outside off stump, Doody
        watchfully steps forward in defence, quietly pushing it down to
        Sulzberger at cover
  19.2 Schwass to Doody, no run, good sharp ball angling in from around
        the wicket, Doody defends from a height on the crease, Sulzberger
        once more busy in the covers
  19.3 Schwass to Doody, no run, similar again, this time Doody punches it
        with more authority, along the ground to Sulzberger
  19.4 Schwass to Doody, FOUR, shortish ball that sits up as it angles on
        his legs, swings it away imperiously through square leg, Smith
        races around in the deep just a few metres away but his dive is to
        no avail, cracking shot
  19.5 Schwass to Doody, no run, this time he gets his line better,
        forcing Doody to defend down to Spearman at midwicket as he's
        cramped up
  19.6 Schwass to Doody, one run, elegantly stroked off the back foot
        standing tall to a short ball, only gets the one for it as there's
        a cover sweeper in the form of Douglas, but he retains the strike
        for yet another over

End of over 20 (5 runs) Canterbury 77/4 (RR: 3.85 RRR: 97/30 = 3.23)
AM Schwass 3-0-12-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 38* (54b 5x4) CZ Harris 2* (15b)

  20.1 Oram to Doody, no run, forward with bat/pad together to one coming
        in from outside off stump, rebounds away into the covers to
        Sulzberger
  20.2 Oram to Doody, one run, forward, runs it off the face very fine
        through the vacant slips, Hefford is fielding quite fine down at
        third man though and makes a good sliding stop to keep it to just
        the single
  20.3 Oram to Harris, no run, Oram coming around the wicket to Harris,
        angles one in tight on off stump, dropping it away towards
        backward point
  20.4 Oram to Harris, (noball) no run, oversteps, short rising straight
        ball, Harris hops on the crease to fend it down in close on the
        leg side safely, Spearman in from midwicket to tidy up
  20.4 Oram to Harris, no run, reaching forward in defence outside off
        stump, guiding it away to Smith at backward point
  20.5 Oram to Harris, no run, comes well forward, pushing straight to
        Sulzberger at cover
  20.6 Oram to Harris, no run, shortish ball, defends from the crease into
        the pitch, back to Oram

End of over 21 (2 runs) Canterbury 79/4 (RR: 3.76 RRR: 95/29 = 3.28)
JDP Oram 5-0-18-1 (1nb) - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 39* (56b 5x4) CZ Harris 2* (20b)

  21.1 Schwass to Doody, one run, angling on leg stump, easily turned out
        through to Smith coming in to field from deep square leg
  21.2 Schwass to Harris, no run, walks forward into a watchful defensive
        stroke, pushing it straight up towards mid on
  21.3 Schwass to Harris, no run, tight rising ball on off stump, forces
        off the back foot straight up to Oram at mid off
  21.4 Schwass to Harris, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends down
        to Sulzberger in the covers
  21.5 Schwass to Harris, no run, similar tight ball on off stump, stroked
        straight to Sulzberger in teh covers
  21.6 Schwass to Harris, no run, see previous few balls ... Harris jumps
        forward with bat/pad together, pushing directly along the ground
        to Sulzberger at cover

End of over 22 (1 run) Canterbury 80/4 (RR: 3.64 RRR: 94/28 = 3.36)
AM Schwass 4-0-13-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 40* (57b 5x4) CZ Harris 2* (25b)

       Glen Sulzberger comes on, replacing Oram at the Port Hills End
       things interestingly poised now, Doody is the key anchor, doing a
        fine job at maintaining his strike rate in sticky times, while
        Harris has set up camp at the other end
       the required run rate is still very easy, below their present rate,
        it's wickets in hand that is the key
       Central's gamble of only having 5 specialist bowlers could prove an
        interesting factor, as even Oram is not a full-timer until
        recently
  22.1 Sulzberger to Doody, OUT: but it works spectacularly here!
        Sulzberger's first ball/first over striking power that developed
        on teh New Zealand 'A' tour to England occurs again!

       Canterbury 80/5, Partnership of 21
       BJK Doody  c Griggs b Sulzberger  40 (58b 5x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 2* (25b) GP Sulzberger 0.1-0-0-1

       Doody with no footwork whatsoever, tried to drive square from the
        crease, ends up getting a simple nick straight through to the
        keeper, the Central camp dance about with joy, Doody waits for the
        decision initially but then has to walk
       things wonderfully poised now, with Aaron Redmond the new batsman
  22.2 Sulzberger to Redmond, no run, forward, defends down towards square
        leg
  22.3 Sulzberger to Redmond, no run, forward, watchfully defends back on
        the leg side of the pitch
  22.4 Sulzberger to Redmond, no run, forward once more, defends down into
        the covers
  22.5 Sulzberger to Redmond, one run, shortish ball just outside off
        stump, deftly opens the face guiding it down to third man
  22.6 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, forward, turns it quietly down
        towards square leg

End of over 23 (1 run) Canterbury 81/5 (RR: 3.52 RRR: 93/27 = 3.44)
GP Sulzberger 1-0-1-1 - Port Hills End
AJ Redmond 1* (4b) CZ Harris 2* (26b)

  23.1 Schwass to Redmond, one run, full outside off stump, strongly
        driven up towards extra cover, Hefford slides to his left to field
        as they run with the shot, Redmond crashing into the bowler
        walking back as he ran through but no hard feelings
  23.2 Schwass to Harris, no run, tight ball on off stump, driven straight
        up to Oram at mid off
  23.3 Schwass to Harris, one run, tucked away towards forward square leg,
        a very tight single taken with the shot, a sharp throw is fired
        in, a direct hit is gained as Redmond amkes a great dive home, the
        third umpire replay is called for but proves inconclusive and the
        green light is
       flashed, the crowd gets far more raucous as they realise plenty is
        on the line now, and it brings a huge cheer from this well
        wrapped-up audience of around 4000
  23.4 Schwass to Redmond, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
  23.5 Schwass to Redmond, no run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
        but can't get it past Hefford sliding across to his left from wide
        mid off
  23.6 Schwass to Redmond, one run, short rising ball just outside off
        stump, well guided away down to third amn

End of over 24 (3 runs) Canterbury 84/5 (RR: 3.50 RRR: 90/26 = 3.46)
AM Schwass 5-0-16-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
AJ Redmond 3* (8b) CZ Harris 3* (28b)

  24.1 Sulzberger to Redmond, no run, shortish ball, shuffles back in
        behind it in defence on off stump, pushing straight back to the
        bowler
  24.2 Sulzberger to Redmond, no run, floated full toss, strongly driven
        in the air straight back to the bowler, sharp chance low down for
        Sulzberger but can't hang on it
  24.3 Sulzberger to Redmond, no run, forward, defends quietly in close
        square on the off side, Griggs hurries around from behind the
        stumps to tidy up
  24.4 Sulzberger to Redmond, OUT: dear oh dear, foolish cricket in the
        situation, Redmond dnaces down the pitch and cracks in straight
        back down the pitch at a fair more catchable height, Sulzberger
        snaps up a very sharp chance and Canterbury's hopes drop down
        another rung

       Canterbury 84/6, Partnership of 4
       AJ Redmond  c & b Sulzberger  3 (12b 0x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 3* (28b) GP Sulzberger 1.4-0-1-2

       how this game has turned after Canterbury had their visitors 124/9
        before letting them right off the hook, they made a modestly
        defendable total and have being doing so to their utmost best,
        with a little help from
       some silly shot selection
       Gareth Hopkins the new batsman
  24.5 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, forward, defends away towards cover
  24.6 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, similar again, stretches a long way
        forward to defend into the covers, and Sulzberger completes a
        wicket-maiden

End of over 25 (maiden) Canterbury 84/6 (RR: 3.36 RRR: 90/25 = 3.60)
GP Sulzberger 2-1-1-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 3* (28b) GJ Hopkins 0* (2b)

  25.1 Schwass to Harris, no run, very full on the toes, clipped strongly
        straight to Smith at backward square leg
  25.2 Schwass to Harris, no run, shuffles right across to off stump,
        driving straight up to Oram at mid off
  25.3 Schwass to Harris, no run, shortish quick ball, Harris shapes to
        pull but it hurries on to him, going straight through and taking
        the thigh, rebounds away to backward point
  25.4 Schwass to Harris, no run, full and straight, Harris works it away
        towards midwicket, cut off well inside the circle to prevent any
        runs with the stroke
  25.5 Schwass to Harris, FOUR, shortish ball, mistimed pull shot off one
        foot, lofting just wide of midwicket, who loses it completely in
        teh sun shining through the now-vacant Embankment, an enticing
        chase for the field as it just beats two fielders to the rope by
        the smallest of
       margins, the lack of timing on it deceived
  25.6 Schwass to Harris, legbye: one run, angling down the leg side,
        glanced away off the pad down to fine leg

End of over 26 (5 runs) Canterbury 89/6 (RR: 3.42 RRR: 85/24 = 3.54)
AM Schwass 6-0-20-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 7* (34b 1x4) GJ Hopkins 0* (2b)

  26.1 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, props right forward, defending with
        bat/pad away towards backward point
  26.2 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
        out to Douglas at deep backward square leg
  26.3 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, shortish ball held back on leg
        stump, tries to whip it away but misses, drops down in close on
        the leg side from the thigh pad, Sulzberger is slightly interested
        in something for a brief moment
  26.4 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, shortish flat ball, whipped away
        this time, but straight to Sinclair at square leg
  26.5 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, straight ball on off stump, driven
        straight back to the bowler
  26.6 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, oooh dear oh dear, Hopkins gives
        himself too much room outside off stump as he tries to force from
        teh back foot into the covers, plays over it and misses, just
        going through and missing the off stump by the smallest of margins

End of over 27 (1 run) Canterbury 90/6 (RR: 3.33 RRR: 84/23 = 3.65)
GP Sulzberger 3-1-2-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 8* (36b 1x4) GJ Hopkins 0* (6b)

  27.1 Schwass to Harris, no run, defends a straight ball on leg stump,
        played up towards mid on
  27.2 Schwass to Harris, no run, plays and misses outside off stump,
        sliding past the outside edge through to the keeper, Harris never
        really to it
  27.3 Schwass to Harris, no run, full outside off stump, powerfully
        driven into the ground and away to Sulzberger in the covers, has a
        shy at the bowler's end, just over the bails as Hopkins just
        slides home in time, anguished looks from the fielder
  27.4 Schwass to Harris, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away just
        backward of square leg past Smith for an easy run
  27.5 Schwass to Hopkins, OUT: unbelievable stuff, Hopkins tries to cut a
        rising ball outside off stump that's just too close on him, first
        slip appeals then the keeper joins in belatedly, the bowler even
        more belatedly, umpire Bowden initially shook his head but then
        after

       Canterbury 91/7, Partnership of 7
       GJ Hopkins  c Griggs b Schwass  0 (7b 0x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 9* (40b 1x4) AM Schwass 6.5-0-21-1 (1w)

       a prolonged appeal by the Central team the finger goes up, Hopkins
        is in disbelief and trudges off, and Canterbury are in big, big
        trouble now
       Central have a strong sniff and are pushing Canterbury hard to the
        hilt
       Carl Anderson the new batsman
  27.6 Schwass to Anderson, no run, defends down into the covers

End of over 28 (1 run) Canterbury 91/7 (RR: 3.25 RRR: 83/22 = 3.77)
AM Schwass 7-0-21-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 9* (40b 1x4) CJ Anderson 0* (1b)

  28.1 Sulzberger to Harris, FOUR, Harris drives at a very full ball
        outside off stump, plays right over the top of it but somehow
        squeezes a very faint underedge just past off stump and through
        the keeper's legs down to the fine boundary
       Sulzberger gives him an earful, the bowler isn't impressed he got
        away with that shot
  28.2 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, forward, pushes back on the leg side
        of the pitch
  28.3 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, drives a flighted full ball straight
        up to mid on
  28.4 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, flighted up outside off stump, firmly
        driven up towards Kelly at mid off
  28.5 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, stroked up towards mid on, good
        quick running with the stroke gets him through easily as the field
        is set a little deep to prevent it
       Sinclair is brought in to silly point to apply a bit of pressure to
        the new batsman
  28.6 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, straight ball, turned away towards
        midwicket

End of over 29 (5 runs) Canterbury 96/7 (RR: 3.31 RRR: 78/21 = 3.71)
GP Sulzberger 4-1-7-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 14* (45b 2x4) CJ Anderson 0* (2b)

  29.1 Schwass to Harris, legbye: one run, driving outside off stump,
        misses and struck on the front pad, huge appeal for lbw from the
        bowler but it was sliding past outside off stump, down to third
        man for the leg bye
  29.2 Schwass to Anderson, no run, beautiful ball! on a perfect length
        and angling away from the groping outside edge, through to the
        keeper
  29.3 Schwass to Anderson, no run, quick ball seaming well back into teh
        pad, struck quite high on the pad and doing a fair bit, huge
        appeal for lbw from the entire team, umpire Bowdne looks long and
        hard before keeping the finger well behind his back
  29.4 Schwass to Anderson, no run, another similar ball, Anderson
        akwardly haunches over to try and keep it out as it bounces a bit
        higher into the legs
  29.5 Schwass to Anderson, no run, tight ball on off stump, defended away
        towards point
  29.6 Schwass to Anderson, no run, leaves well alone outside off stump

End of over 30 (1 run, maiden) Canterbury 97/7 (RR: 3.23 RRR: 77/20 = 3.85)
AM Schwass 8-1-21-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 14* (46b 2x4) CJ Anderson 0* (7b)

  30.1 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, stretches well forward in defence to
        one outside off stump, dropping it down in close on the off side,
        Griggs tidies from around behind the sticks
  30.2 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, well forward again, defends with a
        dead bat down in close on the off side
  30.3 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, pushed through faster and fuller,
        Harris is drawn forward in trying to work it away on the leg side,
        taken on teh pad and rebounds away in close on the off side
  30.4 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, drives with more assurance from the
        crease, played straight to Oram at extra cover
  30.5 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, driving at a full ball outside off
        stump, sliced along the ground towards Sinclair at backward point
  30.6 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, nudges a full ball away towards
        backward point again, and another maiden is completed

End of over 31 (maiden) Canterbury 97/7 (RR: 3.13 RRR: 77/19 = 4.05)
GP Sulzberger 5-2-7-2 - Port Hills End
CJ Anderson 0* (7b) CZ Harris 14* (52b 2x4)

  31.1 Schwass to Anderson, no run, good tight ball on middle and off,
        Anderson defends safely down into the covers, Sulzberger in to
        field
  31.2 Schwass to Anderson, no run, props well forward in defence, pushed
        straight up to Oram at mid on
  31.3 Schwass to Anderson, no run, forward, defends quietly up towards
        Oram at wide mid on
  31.4 Schwass to Anderson, no run, further disaster for Canterbury!
        clipped away towards midwicket, they hurry through for a very
        tight single, but a direct hit is managed at the bowler's end and
        Anderson is found short by umpire Bowden who makes a good decision
        without the replay

       Canterbury 97/8, Partnership of 6
       CJ Anderson  run out  0 (11b 0x4 0x6)

       drinks are called on to the field at the fall of wicket, Central
        have forced a remarkable turnaround in this game, it's almost a
        mirror image of the game at Napier
       Ryan Burson the new batsman
  31.5 Schwass to Harris, wide: no run, wide, angling well down the leg
        side
  31.5 Schwass to Harris, no run, short straight ball, defends straight
        back down into the pitch
  31.6 Schwass to Harris, FOUR, short rising ball, superbly swung away in
        the air on one leg over midwicket, local hero Harry gets a big
        cheer for bring Canterbury's 100 up

End of over 32 (5 runs) Canterbury 102/8 (RR: 3.19 RRR: 72/18 = 4.00)
AM Schwass 9-1-26-1 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
RD Burson 0* (0b) CZ Harris 18* (54b 3x4)

  32.1 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends from
        the crease down in close on the off side
  32.2 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, watchfully forward, defends away
        towards Douglas at backward point
  32.3 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, flighted up very full, watchfully
        defends up towards mid off
  32.4 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, flighted and dips quickly, sliding on
        to the bat quickly, sneaks it away to short third man, brigns some
        interest from the close in field
  32.5 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, forward, defends down to Sinclair at
        silly point
  32.6 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, shorter ball angling down the leg
        side, quietly tickled down to short fine leg

End of over 33 (maiden) Canterbury 102/8 (RR: 3.09 RRR: 72/17 = 4.24)
GP Sulzberger 6-3-7-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 18* (54b 3x4) RD Burson 0* (6b)

       consecutive maidens for Sulzberger who is playing a potentially
        match-winning hand here
  33.1 Schwass to Harris, no run, pushes forward in defence outside off
        stump, plays and misses by one sliding away from the outside edge
        through to the keeper
  33.2 Schwass to Harris, no run, shortish ball, defends back up on the
        leg side of the pitch
  33.3 Schwass to Harris, one run, angling further down the leg side,
        turned away through backward square leg
  33.4 Schwass to Burson, no run, lovely ball angling across the right
        hander, guides an edge straight down towards slip, just bouncing
        short of Spearman
  33.5 Schwass to Burson, no run, shortish ball on off stump, cut strongly
        down to Sinclair in the gully
  33.6 Schwass to Burson, no run, full and straight, firmly driven
        straight up to Oram at mid on

End of over 34 (1 run) Canterbury 103/8 (RR: 3.03 RRR: 71/16 = 4.44)
AM Schwass 10-1-27-1 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 19* (57b 3x4) RD Burson 0* (9b)

       Schwass bowls out his 10 overs for a very tidy 1-27
  34.1 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, low full toss, driven down to
        straight long on
  34.2 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, straight ball, turned away off the
        legs to Oram at midwicket
  34.3 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, flighted very full outside off stump,
        nudged away towards cover, they're looking for the sharp single
        but Burson sends Harris back in the nick of time as the field's
        quickly to it
  34.4 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, quietly defends down in close on the
        off side
  34.5 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, tight ball on off stump, runs it
        straight down to short third man
  34.6 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, defends back down the pitch

End of over 35 (1 run) Canterbury 104/8 (RR: 2.97 RRR: 70/15 = 4.67)
GP Sulzberger 7-3-8-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 20* (58b 3x4) RD Burson 0* (14b)

       Oram replaces Schwass at the Hadlee Stand End
  35.1 Oram to Harris, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, defends down
        from the pad on the leg side
  35.2 Oram to Harris, one run, tucked off the hip out through to Smith at
        deep square leg
  35.3 Oram to Burson, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
        towards Smith at point
  35.4 Oram to Burson, no run, hops on the crease to a straight ball,
        defending back up the pitch to Oram
  35.5 Oram to Burson, no run, shortish ball, looks to cut but inside
        edges into the front pad, streakly stuff as it drops dead at his
        feet
  35.6 Oram to Burson, one run, Burson finally underway after 18 balls,
        averts becoming the 5th duckmaker in the Canterbury innings,
        worked up towards wide midwicket for an easily jogged single with
        the shot

End of over 36 (2 runs) Canterbury 106/8 (RR: 2.94 RRR: 68/14 = 4.86)
JDP Oram 6-0-20-1 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
RD Burson 1* (18b) CZ Harris 21* (60b 3x4)

  36.1 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, forward, defends away towards cover
        point, Douglas across to field to his right
  36.2 Sulzberger to Burson, one run, angling on leg stump, tucked away
        towards vacant square leg for an easy run, doubles his score
  36.3 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, swept from outside off stump out to
        deep backward square leg
  36.4 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, flighted full outside off stump,
        driven hard into the deck back to the bowler, Sulzberger plays to
        the crowd by going up for the caught and bowled
  36.5 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, straight ball turning down leg, taken
        on the pad and draws a sharp appeal but umpire Cowie isn't taking
        any of that funny business
  36.6 Sulzberger to Burson, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
        out to Smith at deep backward square leg

End of over 37 (3 runs) Canterbury 109/8 (RR: 2.95 RRR: 65/13 = 5.00)
GP Sulzberger 8-3-11-2 - Port Hills End
RD Burson 3* (23b) CZ Harris 22* (61b 3x4)

  37.1 Oram to Burson, no run, slower ball on off stump, defends away
        square on the off side
  37.2 Oram to Burson, two runs, full outside off stump, strongly punched
        through the covers, Sulzberger chases it down just inside the
        boundary, they don't dare attempt a third on the throw in the
        present situation
  37.3 Oram to Burson, no run, quick and full on leg stump, clipped
        strongly straight to Sinclair at wide midwicket
  37.4 Oram to Burson, FOUR, tight ball on off stump, fends away just wide
        of the slips, races down to the straight third man boundary as the
        fielder in the deep is too wide
  37.5 Oram to Burson, one run, hops on the crease as it seams back in,
        big inside edge between the stumps and the batsman, down to fine
        leg, very streaky but he's getting the runs for it
  37.6 Oram to Harris, no run, hops on the crease to defend a short,
        straight ball down on the leg side of the pitch

End of over 38 (7 runs) Canterbury 116/8 (RR: 3.05 RRR: 58/12 = 4.83)
JDP Oram 7-0-27-1 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
RD Burson 10* (28b 1x4) CZ Harris 22* (62b 3x4)

  38.1 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, forward, defends straight back on the
        off side of the pitch
  38.2 Sulzberger to Burson, no run, watchfully well forward, drops it
        dead in close on the off side of the pitch in defence
  38.3 Sulzberger to Burson, one run, angling down the leg side, flicked
        very fine,g ood quick run taken with the shot as short fine leg
        fields to his left and fires at the bowler's end
  38.4 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, flighted very full outside off
        stump, drives through to Smith at deep point, not quite as square
        as he intentioned but gets the single all the same
  38.5 Sulzberger to Burson, one run, angling on leg stump, picked away to
        Smith at deep square leg once more
  38.6 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, flighted up, swung away along the
        ground to Douglas at deep backward square leg

End of over 39 (4 runs) Canterbury 120/8 (RR: 3.08 RRR: 54/11 = 4.91)
GP Sulzberger 9-3-15-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 24* (64b 3x4) RD Burson 12* (32b 1x4)

  39.1 Oram to Harris, one run, full ball outside off stump, strongly
        driven down the ground on the leg side past the bowler, not quite
        where he planned it to go again, but again extracts the single
  39.2 Oram to Burson, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
  39.3 Oram to Burson, no run, angling down the leg side, flicked off the
        pad down through to the keeper Griggs who makes a good diving save
        to his left
  39.4 Oram to Burson, no run, shortish straight ball, defends away
        towards Smith at point
  39.5 Oram to Burson, no run, full ball, picked up low in the air towards
        Sinclair at wide midwicket, just bouncing short
  39.6 Oram to Burson, no run, very full ball, dug out back down the pitch
        on the leg side, Oram fields off his own bowling

End of over 40 (1 run) Canterbury 121/8 (RR: 3.03 RRR: 53/10 = 5.30)
JDP Oram 8-0-28-1 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 25* (65b 3x4) RD Burson 12* (37b 1x4)

  40.1 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, shortish ball, tries to swing it away
        through square leg, misses, into the pad and a big appeal for lbw
        from the bowler is turned down, fair shout but perhaps doing a bit
        much as he was well forward
  40.2 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, this time he gets bat on to it,
        swung away along the ground out to sub fielder West at deep
        backward square leg
  40.3 Sulzberger to Burson, one run, delicately dabbed backward of point
        short of the fielder, nice placement gets the quick single with
        the shot
  40.4 Sulzberger to Harris, OUT: and that could possibly be the death
        knell for Canterbury! Harris scoops it up in the air, straight to
        Sinclair at midwicket, Sulzberger is ecstatic, he knows that's the
        big wicket and the last realistic hope, he walks off dejected

       Canterbury 123/9, Partnership of 26
       CZ Harris  c Sinclair b Sulzberger  26 (68b 3x4 0x6)
       RD Burson 13* (38b 1x4) GP Sulzberger 9.4-3-17-3

       we're pretty darn likely to be back tomorrow, as tail-end charlie
        Chris Martin walks to the crease, not a reknowned strokeplayer and
        run scorer
       slip and silly point in place for him on strike
  40.5 Sulzberger to Martin, no run, driven away towards West at backward
        point
  40.6 Sulzberger to Martin, one run, angling on the leg side, flicked
        away through square leg to get off the mark, and retain the strike

End of over 41 (3 runs) Canterbury 124/9 (RR: 3.02 RRR: 50/9 = 5.56)
GP Sulzberger 10-3-18-3 - Port Hills End
CS Martin 1* (2b) RD Burson 13* (38b 1x4)

  41.1 Oram to Martin, no run, full ball on off stump, pushed straight
        back to the bowler
  41.2 Oram to Martin, no run, plays and misses at a shortish ball outside
        off stump
  41.3 Oram to Martin, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, guided
        down to backward point
  41.4 Oram to Martin, one run, full ball on leg stump, clipped away down
        to long leg
  41.5 Oram to Burson, no run, full and straight, strongly driven into the
        deck, Oram leaps up to field on his follow through
  41.6 Oram to Burson, one run, full ball outside off stump, driven
        straight up to mid off

End of over 42 (2 runs) Canterbury 126/9 (RR: 3.00 RRR: 48/8 = 6.00)
JDP Oram 9-0-30-1 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
RD Burson 14* (40b 1x4) CS Martin 2* (6b)

       Thompson returns to bowl at the Port Hills End
  42.1 Thompson to Burson, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
        on the off side of the pitch
  42.2 Thompson to Burson, one run, charges down the pitch, has a big
        swing over the top, gets a thick edge to fly down towards West at
        third man who dives forward, just bouncing short, the force of his
        dive sees him palm it all the way back inside the circle from the
        deep!
  42.3 Thompson to Martin, no run, slower ball, squared around as it
        deflects off the pad down to slip
  42.4 Thompson to Martin, no run, quick full ball on leg stump, taken low
        down on the pad, rebounds into the covers
  42.5 Thompson to Martin, legbye: one run, and again! drifting down leg,
        into the pad, this one deflects away wide of slip for a leg bye
  42.6 Thompson to Burson, no run, full outside off stump, drives and
        misses over the top of it, through to the keeper

End of over 43 (2 runs) Canterbury 128/9 (RR: 2.98 RRR: 46/7 = 6.57)
EP Thompson 7-0-32-0 (1w 3nb) - Port Hills End
CS Martin 2* (9b) RD Burson 15* (43b 1x4)

  43.1 Oram to Martin, OUT: and it's all over, Martin gets a hold of this
        one nicely, but drives it low in the air straight to Sulzberger at
        cover, who takes a good diving catch to complete the win by 45
        runs

       Canterbury 128/10, Partnership of 5
       CS Martin  c Sulzberger b Oram  2 (10b 0x4 0x6)
       RD Burson 15* (43b 1x4) JDP Oram 9.1-0-30-2 (1nb)

       Central Districts celebrate, coming back to square this finals
        series 1-1, when all money would've been on the more experienced
        home side who have 'been there, done that' to come through and
        wrap things up today
       but the low scoring Shell Cup continues, another awful chase to a
        low total, and that only thanks to the tail hanging around
        stoically, which in the end proved to be the winning difference
       the final stand between Sulzberger and Hefford of 49 was a little
        more than the winning margin tonight, and how crucial did the
        dropped catch by Hopkins off Astle with the score
       on 137/9 - a huge difference between chasing 138 and 174 for
        Canterbury, but it wasn't to be and the plucky pair saw them
        through to almost the full 50 overs
       Sulzberger is most definitely deserving of an unofficial man of the
        match award, scoring 43 and taking career best Shell Cup figures
        of 3-18 from his 10 overs
       the crowd of 4000 is now almost full dispersed, weakening in
        numbers after the 8th wicket fell, and a large percentage quickly
        departing after Harris fell later, most surprised that the brave
        and still interested among them will have to return tomorrow
       to see if Canterbury can finish them off second time around, but
        the Central tails must be high in the air now, which will spell
        danger for the possibly slightly complacent home team
       Oram's maangement of just 5 bowlers, and even then him and
        Sulzberger are more well known as batsmen who chip in with the
        ball on the odd occasion, but they have stepped up in the last few
        matches this season
       that's all from CricInfo's coverage of the second Shell Cup final
        at Jade Stadium, please join us again tomorrow for the decider,
        it's a noon start (2300 GMT) and should be a cracker - we can only
        hope for a high scoring game for a more fitting finale
       any comments on today's coverage, please fire them through to
        comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is very much appreciated

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Date-stamped : 27 Jan2001 - 10:23