3rd Final: Canterbury v Central Districts at Christchurch, 28 Jan 2001

Ball-by-Ball Commentary


Match State: Match scheduled to start at 12pm local time (2300 GMT)

       welcome to Jade Stadium for the third and last Shell Cup final
        between Canterbury and Central Districts
       this is the winner-takes-all decider, thanks to Central's battling
        effort to draw level defending a paltry total last night
       it's another wonderful Christchurch summer's day, but this time
        thankfully without the persistent gusty winds that plagued the
        early stanza of yesterday's match
       the crowd, though, is not a patch on yesterday at the same stage
        before the match begun, and is unlikely to get up as high as that
        game, as there's a fair bit happening in town today and a few may
        be suffering from withdrawal symptoms of yesterday's
       somewhat unexpected loss by the home team and don't care to spend a
        few dollars more to return
       there's just the one change from yesterday's line-ups, Canterbury
        have brought in Marcel McKenzie for the struggling Aaron Redmond,
        despite having been 12th man for a succession of games and had
        little match play
       Redmond will act as 12th man for Canterbury, while Gareth West
        again performs the duties for Central Districts
       Canterbury captain Gary Stead has again won the toss, but this time
        more wisely elected to bat first, after yesterday's sticky effort
        on a spongy deck
       and though the pitch isn't a real nightmare, it is a bit sluggish
        at times, so batting first on the second use of the same pitch is
        most definitely the right thing to do
       out come the players and umpires, it'll be Brad Doody facing Ewen
        Thompson from the Hadlee Stand End, with Nathan Astle at the non-
        striker's end
   0.1 Thompson to Doody, no run, good rising ball a bit wide outside off
        stump to threaten, Doody plays inside the line of it, good bouncy
        and carry through to the keeper
   0.2 Thompson to Doody, no run, shoulders arms to a similar ball outside
        off stump
   0.3 Thompson to Doody, no run, similar rising ball outside off stump,
        withdraws inside the line of, tucking the bat into the body
   0.4 Thompson to Doody, no run, angling on leg stump, tries to clip it
        away but misses, drops off the pad towards Smith at square leg
   0.5 Thompson to Doody, wide: no run, quickish ball pushed through
        further down the leg side, too wide this time through to the
        keeper
   0.5 Thompson to Doody, no run, full ball just outside off stump, pushed
        back on the off side of the pitch back to the bowler
   0.6 Thompson to Doody, no run, quick rising ball outside off stump,
        Doody half hangs the bat out to it but withdrawss it back to the
        body once more

End of over 1 (1 run) Canterbury 1/0 (RR: 1.00)
EP Thompson 1-0-1-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 0* (0b) BJK Doody 0* (6b)

       Brent Hefford to bowl from the Port Hills End
   1.1 Hefford to Astle, one run, angling on leg stump, pushed up towards
        Kelly at wide mid on, quickly runs with the shot for an easy
        single to get underway and off the 'pair', in one-day terms in a
        double-header on the same venue, anyway
   1.2 Hefford to Doody, no run, props well forward in defence, sqezing it
        down between bat and pad to drop down in close on the off side of
        the pitch
   1.3 Hefford to Doody, no run, forward, defends down towards Smith at
        point
   1.4 Hefford to Doody, no run, forward, stroked up towards Kelly at mid
        off firmly
   1.5 Hefford to Doody, no run, full ball outside off stump, firmly
        stroked straight to Sulzberger at cover
   1.6 Hefford to Doody, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
        tall to guide it down to Thompson at third man to get off the mark

End of over 2 (2 runs) Canterbury 3/0 (RR: 1.50)
BE Hefford 1-0-2-0 - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 1* (11b) NJ Astle 1* (1b)

   2.1 Thompson to Doody, wide: no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        plays and misses going for a big drive through the off side, but
        it's too wide
   2.1 Thompson to Doody, no run, stabs forward in defence, seams back in
        and takes the bat, inside edging down into the side of the front
        leg, dropping down square on the off side
   2.2 Thompson to Doody, one run, a bit full, well cracked straight down
        the ground on the leg side, Oram across from mid on to try and
        field but has to turn and chases as it's struck rather well,
        average running sees them unable to come back for the second
   2.3 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball on the leg stump, Astle
        tries his best to avoid being dismissed in the same fashion as
        yesterday with the pick up off the hip to square leg, keeping it
        down as it goes to Douglas
   2.4 Thompson to Astle, no run, straight shortish ball, gets inside of
        it, defending ably down into the covers
   2.5 Thompson to Astle, (noball) no run, oversteps, shortish ball on off
        stump, cut down towards Smith at point
   2.5 Thompson to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        straight up to Oram at widish mid off
   2.6 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        shoulders arms through to the keeper

End of over 3 (3 runs) Canterbury 6/0 (RR: 2.00)
EP Thompson 2-0-4-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 2* (13b) NJ Astle 1* (6b)

   3.1 Hefford to Doody, no run, straight ball on the back of a length,
        defends standing tall on the crease, playing down into the pitch
        back to the bowler
   3.2 Hefford to Doody, no run, forward, defends down towards backward
        point
   3.3 Hefford to Doody, no run, consistent line and length again from the
        Central bowlers, peg Doody down once more, defending in close
        square on the off side
       Sinclair now comes into the gully position, as Doody plays most of
        his shot in that general region at present
   3.4 Hefford to Doody, no run, a bit fuller, Doody comes forward down
        the line but only manages to drive it straight back to the bowler
   3.5 Hefford to Doody, no run, props forward in defence, dead batting it
        down into the top of the pad, dropping at his feet
   3.6 Hefford to Doody, wide: no run, pushed through a bit quick down the
        leg side, Doody tries to pick it away but misses, gets another
        chance to end the over though
   3.6 Hefford to Doody, no run, quick rising ball outside off stump,
        Doody looks to lay into it, but it's a big pull and miss, trying
        to play it over backward square leg but had to drag it from a fair
        way outside off, not quite no-ball height to be called

End of over 4 (1 run) Canterbury 7/0 (RR: 1.75)
BE Hefford 2-0-3-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 1* (6b) BJK Doody 2* (19b)

   4.1 Thompson to Astle, no run, leaves alone a shortish ball angling
        across the right hander outside off stump
   4.2 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, Astle hops
        on the crease to defend it down in close on the leg side, Thompson
        up to field off his own bowling
   4.3 Thompson to Astle, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, worked away
        towards midwicket for a quick run with the shot
   4.4 Thompson to Doody, no run, short ball on off stump, defends down to
        Douglas at point
   4.5 Thompson to Doody, FOUR, short rising ball outside off stump, Doody
        stands tall and smashes it hard over cover, a good break-out shot
        to release the shackles somewhat
       by the nature of the delivery and shot, it seems the wicket isn't
        all that quick, as it sat up tennis-ball like, as a fair few balls
        did during last night's match
   4.6 Thompson to Doody, no run, props forward in defence to a fuller
        ball outside off stump, runs it of the outside edge down to second
        slip diving to his left to field on the bounce

End of over 5 (5 runs) Canterbury 12/0 (RR: 2.40)
EP Thompson 3-0-9-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 2* (9b) BJK Doody 6* (22b 1x4)

   5.1 Hefford to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, opens
        the face to steer it wide of the slips down to Schwass at third
        man
   5.2 Hefford to Doody, no run, comes well forward, walking into a
        defensive shot away towards Sinclair in the gully
   5.3 Hefford to Doody, no run, props well forward in defence, this one
        seams back into him a bit unexpectedly, drops it down from the top
        of the leg in close on the leg side
   5.4 Hefford to Doody, no run, lovely ball shaping away from the groping
        left hander, moved a long way, Griggs goes up and the bowler joins
        in belatedly, umpire Bowden is uncertain and refers the decision
        upstairs, but the replay clearly shows daylight between bat and
        ball
   5.5 Hefford to Doody, no run, leaves alone outside off stump
   5.6 Hefford to Doody, no run, and again, leaves through to the keeper,
        umpire Bowden is uncertain of the number of balls in the over as
        he checks with the scoreboard, but gets the call for over from
        umpire Hill

End of over 6 (1 run) Canterbury 13/0 (RR: 2.17)
BE Hefford 3-0-4-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 3* (10b) BJK Doody 6* (27b 1x4)

   6.1 Thompson to Astle, no run, straight ball on middle, firmly stroked
        straight back down the pitch to the bowler
   6.2 Thompson to Astle, no run, full on off stump, turned away towards
        forward square leg, no run on offer as Douglas hovers across to
        field from squarer
   6.3 Thompson to Astle, FOUR, shot! shortish ball sits up on leg stump
        and Astle absolutely punishes it, pulled away with imperious force
        through backward square leg, no chance for long leg to field that
        one
   6.4 Thompson to Astle, FOUR, and he does it again! just as good as the
        last one, forces Douglas out from square to leg to the deep and
        brings Hefford up inside the circle to short fine leg as a result
   6.5 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball a bit straighter, Astle
        hops on the crease to defend back down the wicket
   6.6 Thompson to Astle, no run, a bit shorter, Astle awkwardly defends
        it down into the top of his pads, sits behind the front flap and
        has to flick it out

End of over 7 (8 runs) Canterbury 21/0 (RR: 3.00)
EP Thompson 4-0-17-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 6* (27b 1x4) NJ Astle 11* (16b 2x4)

   7.1 Hefford to Doody, wide: no run, short and well wide down the leg
        side through to the keeper
   7.1 Hefford to Doody, no run, forward, drives straight up to Oram at
        widish mid on
   7.2 Hefford to Doody, no run, shortish rising ball outside off stump,
        Doody looks to flay it away through the covers but misses through
        to the keeper
   7.3 Hefford to Doody, no run, shortish ball, seaming back in, Doody
        inside edges back into the top of the leg and drops it down at his
        feet
   7.4 Hefford to Doody, no run, full outside off stump, driven firmly
        straight up to Kelly at mid off
   7.5 Hefford to Doody, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, draws
        Doody watchfully forward, guiding it down to Sinclair in the gully

End of over 8 (1 run) Canterbury 22/0 (RR: 2.75)
BE Hefford 4-0-5-0 (2w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 11* (16b 2x4) BJK Doody 6* (32b 1x4)

       Bowden not off to a good start today, a 5-ball over
   8.1 Thompson to Astle, no run, driving at a fullish ball outside off
        stump, plays a bit too soon and drags it down to Hefford at short
        fine leg from the inside edge
   8.2 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, stroked
        down to Smith at cover point
   8.3 Thompson to Astle, no run, plays and misses outside off stump, went
        for a big drive through the covers but never quite on to it
   8.4 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cuts
        down towards Smith at point, making a good diving stop to his
        right
   8.5 Thompson to Astle, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Astle's
        eyes light up and he fair creams it through extra cover, Oram just
        stares at it racing past him at mid off, jogging back simply to
        collect from the boundary
   8.6 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish ball on middle and leg, Astle
        hops on the crease to get inside it, defending down into the
        covers

End of over 9 (4 runs) Canterbury 26/0 (RR: 2.89)
EP Thompson 5-0-21-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 6* (32b 1x4) NJ Astle 15* (22b 3x4)

   9.1 Hefford to Doody, OUT: shortish ball seams back in, takes Doody on
        the upper leg as he shuffles across, big appeal for lbw and after
        a long look from umpire Bowden, the finger is raised

       Canterbury 26/1, Partnership of 26
       BJK Doody  lbw b Hefford  6 (33b 1x4 0x6)
       NJ Astle 15* (22b 3x4) BE Hefford 4.1-0-5-1 (2w)

       Doody shakes his head as he walks off, but Central are happy, they
        have another fair start on foreign soil, so to speak
       Craig McMillan comes out to bat at number 3 today, sitting on a
        one-day weekend 'king pair' here after yesterday's first ball
        failure
   9.2 Hefford to McMillan, no run, but he survives, glancing down off the
        hip towards Smith at backward square leg
   9.3 Hefford to McMillan, no run, forward in defence to a good length
        ball outside off stump, firmly pushing it away towards Douglas at
        point
   9.4 Hefford to McMillan, no run, forward, defends quietly down in close
        on the off side, Sulzberger in to field from cover
   9.5 Hefford to McMillan, no run, straight and full outside off stump,
        driven firmly back up the wicket on the off side, Hefford slows it
        down with his left hand on his follow through, up to Oram at mid
        off
   9.6 Hefford to McMillan, no run, straight one on leg stump, turned down
        towards forward square leg, Smith across to field, a wicket-maiden
        for Hefford

End of over 10 (maiden) Canterbury 26/1 (RR: 2.60)
BE Hefford 5-1-5-1 (2w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 15* (22b 3x4) CD McMillan 0* (5b)

  10.1 Thompson to Astle, no run, shortish rising ball, Astle hops on the
        crease to defend down to Spearman at short cover
  10.2 Thompson to Astle, no run, angling in from leg stump, flicks the
        front pad first before it goes through to take the bat in defence
        back down the wicket, Thompson enquires for the lbw on his own but
        pitched outside leg
  10.3 Thompson to Astle, FOUR, a bit short and Astle rocks back to pull
        again, dragging it down from outside off stump, powerfully through
        midwicket, too good for Douglas running around from deep square
        leg
  10.4 Thompson to Astle, one run, tight ball on middle and leg, Astle
        drops it down from the glove into the top of the pad, easy quick
        single taken with the shot as square leg is too far away to
        prevent the run
  10.5 Thompson to McMillan, no run, forward, defends a good length ball
        outside off stump straight up on the off side of the pitch
  10.6 Thompson to McMillan, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, tucked
        away to vacant midwicket to get off the mark and avoid a runless
        weekend at Jade Stadium

End of over 11 (6 runs) Canterbury 32/1 (RR: 2.91)
EP Thompson 6-0-27-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 1* (7b) NJ Astle 20* (26b 4x4)

  11.1 Hefford to McMillan, no run, shortish ball on off stump, stabs down
        in defence at it, dropping it away towards Douglas at point
  11.2 Hefford to McMillan, no run, short straight ball, McMillan
        laconically defends back down into the pitch for Hefford to follow
        through and field himself
  11.3 Hefford to McMillan, no run, Hefford very consistently putting it
        on teh spot once more, McMillan defends down into the covers to
        Sulzberger
  11.4 Hefford to McMillan, no run, good sharp short ball on off stump,
        McMillan stands rather tall to defend it down safely to Douglas at
        backward point
  11.5 Hefford to McMillan, no run, shapes to defend but shoulders arms to
        a good length ball outside off stump through to the keeper
  11.6 Hefford to McMillan, no run, comes forward, defends down into the
        covers, and Hefford completes consecutive maidens

End of over 12 (maiden) Canterbury 32/1 (RR: 2.67)
BE Hefford 6-2-5-1 (2w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 20* (26b 4x4) CD McMillan 1* (13b)

       all the runs are coming from the Hadlee Stand End, and as a result
        Oram brings himself on to bowl in place of Thompson
  12.1 Oram to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, defends
        down to Sinclair in the gully
  12.2 Oram to Astle, one run, shortish ball angling on leg stump, hops on
        the crease to work it through the leg side, bottom edges into the
        top of the pad, away towards midwicket for an easy run as it's
        played well short of the leg side field which numbers just two
        inside the circl
  12.3 Oram to McMillan, FOUR, props forward in defence, Oram hurries one
        one and coming backa  shade, McMillan steers an edge down just
        wide of slip, Kelly races around to field from third man but makes
        a hash of it once he gets to it, letting it slide over the rope
  12.4 Oram to McMillan, no run, forward, defends down into the covers
  12.5 Oram to McMillan, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, defends
        straight up on the off side of the pitch
  12.6 Oram to McMillan, one run, angling down the leg side, turned down
        to Hefford at long leg

End of over 13 (6 runs) Canterbury 38/1 (RR: 2.92)
JDP Oram 1-0-6-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 6* (17b 1x4) NJ Astle 21* (28b 4x4)

  13.1 Hefford to McMillan, no run, forward, defends back up on the off
        side of the pitch
  13.2 Hefford to McMillan, no run, more firmly punched straight up the
        ground but the straight field set is too good to pierce
  13.3 Hefford to McMillan, no run, half forward, pushes back on the leg
        side of the pitch with an inside edge into the front pad,
        ballooning back in close on the leg side
  13.4 Hefford to McMillan, no run, jumps down the track but has to
        reconsider the shot, pulling right out of the shot and letting it
        pass through to the keeper, peculiar looking stuff!
  13.5 Hefford to McMillan, one run, straight and full on leg stump,
        driven up towards mid on, good quick single taken with the shot,
        the first runs off the bat from Hefford in quite some time
  13.6 Hefford to Astle, no run, good tight ball on off stump, hops on the
        crease to defend down in close on the off side

End of over 14 (1 run) Canterbury 39/1 (RR: 2.79)
BE Hefford 7-2-6-1 (2w) - Port Hills End
CD McMillan 7* (22b 1x4) NJ Astle 21* (29b 4x4)

  14.1 Oram to McMillan, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
        towards Smith at point
  14.2 Oram to McMillan, no run, quickish ball pushed through on leg
        stump, McMillan shuffles across the crease and is struck on the
        pad as it jags back in, big appeal for lbw from Oram but turned
        down by umpire Cowie
  14.3 Oram to McMillan, no run, and same again! almost identical, but
        again Oram can't extract the decision he wants from umpire Cowie,
        perhaps a shade high
  14.4 Oram to McMillan, FOUR, much better from McMillan, Oram strays a
        bit down the leg side, well picked off the legs through backward
        square leg, too well timed for Hefford down at long leg
  14.5 Oram to McMillan, no run, jumped down the track, shapes to play but
        withdraws the bat out of the way, left through to the keeper
  14.6 Oram to McMillan, no run, similar again, good line and length
        outside off stump, shoulders arms through to the keeper

End of over 15 (4 runs) Canterbury 43/1 (RR: 2.87)
JDP Oram 2-0-10-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 21* (29b 4x4) CD McMillan 11* (28b 2x4)

       the fielding restrictions come off, with Canterbury progressing at
        a sedate 2.87 per over at the 15 over mark, but have mostly
        managed to keep their wickets intact with little concern, looking
        to build to a better total later in the innings
       Andrew Schwass replaces Hefford after a fine spell of 1-6 from 7
        overs at the Port Hills End
  15.1 Schwass to Astle, no run, lovely rising ball outside off stump,
        moves away quite some distance off the seam, Astle fends at it but
        keeps the bat sufficiently away to keep himself at the crease
  15.2 Schwass to Astle, no run, pushed through a bit fuller on leg stump,
        turned down to Spearman at shortish midwicket
  15.3 Schwass to Astle, one run, rising ball outside off stump, Astle
        opens the face down to Hefford at third man
  15.4 Schwass to McMillan, no run, tight ball on leg stump, worked
        straight to Spearman at midwicket
  15.5 Schwass to McMillan, no run, good tight straight ball, seams back
        into the front pad in defence, Schwass half enquires for the lbw
        but outside the line
  15.6 Schwass to McMillan, one run, forward, pushes one away forward of
        point for a quick single with the stroke

End of over 16 (2 runs) Canterbury 45/1 (RR: 2.81)
AM Schwass 1-0-2-0 - Port Hills End
CD McMillan 12* (31b 2x4) NJ Astle 22* (32b 4x4)

       time for the first drinks break
  16.1 Oram to McMillan, no run, good length ball seaming a long way back
        in from outside off stump, struck on the pad, half appeal stifled
        by the bowler as it heads down the leg side
  16.2 Oram to McMillan, no run, forward, defends into the off side
  16.3 Oram to McMillan, no run, forward, firmly driven straight to
        Sulzberger in the covers
  16.4 Oram to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guided
        off the face down to Kelly at third man
  16.5 Oram to Astle, one run, tight ball on off stump, well nudged away
        towards cover point, quick single taken as the shy at the bowler's
        end misses
  16.6 Oram to McMillan, no run, beaten by a quick rising ball outside off
        stump, just withdrawing the bat inside the line late

End of over 17 (2 runs) Canterbury 47/1 (RR: 2.76)
JDP Oram 3-0-12-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 23* (33b 4x4) CD McMillan 13* (36b 2x4)

  17.1 Schwass to Astle, legbye: one run, angling on leg stump, turned
        away off the pad to vacant short fine leg, easy run on offer as
        Thompson's up from the deep to field
  17.2 Schwass to McMillan, no run, straight ball, McMillan walks forward
        into a defensive shot straight back along the pitch to the bowler
  17.3 Schwass to McMillan, no run, quicker, full ball pushed through,
        seaming back a long way into the pad, big appeal for lbw but
        heading down the leg side
  17.4 Schwass to McMillan, no run, forward, defends away backward of
        point to Sinclair
  17.5 Schwass to McMillan, one run, opens the face, firmly guiding it
        down to Hefford at third man
  17.6 Schwass to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, steered
        down through vacant cover to the sweeper in the deep, bringing up
        the Canterbury 50 off 108 balls

End of over 18 (3 runs) Canterbury 50/1 (RR: 2.78)
AM Schwass 2-0-4-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 24* (35b 4x4) CD McMillan 14* (40b 2x4)

  18.1 Oram to Astle, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away through
        vacant backward square leg for an easy single, Douglas in from the
        deep to field just outside the circle
  18.2 Oram to McMillan, one run, jumps down the pitch but Oram sees him
        coming, dropping it in shorter, tapped down forward of point for a
        quick single, the throw fired at the keeper's end is a mile high
        as Astle's safely home, rolls out to deep square leg but no
        overthrow on offer
  18.3 Oram to Astle, no run, good tight ball on middle and off, defends
        away to Sinclair in the gully
  18.4 Oram to Astle, one run, overpitched and angling down the leg side,
        strongly clipped off the legs out to Douglas at forward square leg
  18.5 Oram to McMillan, SIX, dances down the track, sending it a long way
        back over the bowler's head, smashing shot over long on, sails a
        long way back into the Hadlee Stand, six rows back and rebounds
        into the construction area at the front, takes a fair time for the
        ball to be
       at last retrieved, as it's landed just behind where the Central
        camp are parked on the boundary!
  18.6 Oram to McMillan, one run, angling down the leg side, turned away
        down to long leg

End of over 19 (10 runs) Canterbury 60/1 (RR: 3.16)
JDP Oram 4-0-22-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 22* (43b 2x4 1x6) NJ Astle 26* (38b 4x4)

       Glen Sulzberger comes on at the Port Hills End, replacing Schwass
        after just two overs
  19.1 Sulzberger to McMillan, SIX, welcome to the bowling crease Mr
        Sulzberger! flighted full and McMillan isn't afraid to take him on
        straight away, on bended knee he sends him sailing hard and high
        over midwicket, just landing over the rope, completely unprotected
        out there
  19.2 Sulzberger to McMillan, one run, smart cricket by McMillan, forcing
        the field back in the deep, can now work the easy singles, and
        this one on leg stump away to vacant square leg
  19.3 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, drives and misses outside off stump,
        well flighted outside off stump and drifts away from the outside
        edge
  19.4 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, fuller and tighter on off stump,
        squeezed back straight to the bowler
  19.5 Sulzberger to Astle, one run, flighted up full on the toes, driven
        down the ground to Kelly at long on
  19.6 Sulzberger to McMillan, one run, stands tall, waiting on a slightly
        shorter one turning in, pushed straight down to Kelly at long on

End of over 20 (9 runs) Canterbury 69/1 (RR: 3.45)
GP Sulzberger 1-0-9-0 - Port Hills End
CD McMillan 30* (46b 2x4 2x6) NJ Astle 27* (41b 4x4)

       Schwass changes end, replaces captain Oram after being a bit
        expensive at the Hadlee Stand End last over
  20.1 Schwass to McMillan, no run, half forward then has to hop back to a
        good ball on a back of a length, dropping it down from the inside
        edge into the pads, falling dead at his toes
  20.2 Schwass to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        strongly steered down to Kelly at third man
  20.3 Schwass to Astle, FOUR, shortish ball, and Astle joins in the
        party, jumping down the track and pulling it viciously down
        through wide midwicket, perfectly picking out the gap, now we're
        getting a bit of entertainment as the pitch gets easier paced
        under the sun
  20.4 Schwass to Astle, no run, good straight ball, firmly punches
        straight back to the bowler
  20.5 Schwass to Astle, no run, angling on middle and leg, whipped around
        the corner to Spearman at midwicket
  20.6 Schwass to Astle, one run, driving outside off stump, gets a thick
        inside edge to fall down towards backward square leg for an easy
        single

End of over 21 (6 runs) Canterbury 75/1 (RR: 3.57)
AM Schwass 3-0-10-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 32* (45b 5x4) CD McMillan 31* (48b 2x4 2x6)

  21.1 Sulzberger to Astle, one run, flighted up on the toes, well driven
        down to Kelly at long on to bring up the 50 partnership
  21.2 Sulzberger to McMillan, two runs, angling on leg stump, well turned
        through backward square leg, super running to sprint back for the
        second as it was quietly played away, Hefford had a fair chase
        from the deep to field
  21.3 Sulzberger to McMillan, no run, flighted full outside off stump,
        firmly driven straight to cover
  21.4 Sulzberger to McMillan, no run, McMillan tries to get fancy, going
        for the reverse sweep as one drifts the other way, almost getting
        a faint glove on to it as Griggs fumbles the take over his head
        and drops it so we'll never know either way
  21.5 Sulzberger to McMillan, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away
        out through backward square leg to Hefford in the deep
  21.6 Sulzberger to Astle, one run, driven down the ground on the off
        side, collecting the singles nicely now

End of over 22 (5 runs) Canterbury 80/1 (RR: 3.64)
GP Sulzberger 2-0-14-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 34* (47b 5x4) CD McMillan 34* (52b 2x4 2x6)

  22.1 Schwass to Astle, no run, tight ball on off stump, firmly driven
        down straight to Sulzberger in the covers
  22.2 Schwass to Astle, no run, super quick ball on a good cramping
        length just outside off stump, Astle tries to free the arms and
        drive through the covers but plays and misses
  22.3 Schwass to Astle, no run, straighter ball, squares Astle around a
        bit as he works it away towards Spearman at wide midwicket a bit
        uppishly, fielded on the bounce
  22.4 Schwass to Astle, one run, edged and dropped! Astle drives at a
        very good tight ball moving back a fraction into him, gets a
        genuine edge through to the keeper, angles away from him, drops
        the chance as he's just a bit too slow to react, dribbles down to
        third man
  22.5 Schwass to McMillan, no run, full and straight, firmly driven to
        Spearman at wide midwicket
  22.6 Schwass to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        pushes away from the body to point

End of over 23 (1 run) Canterbury 81/1 (RR: 3.52)
AM Schwass 4-0-11-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 35* (51b 5x4) CD McMillan 34* (54b 2x4 2x6)

  23.1 Sulzberger to Astle, one run, turning down the leg side, turned
        down to short fine leg for a quick single with the shot
  23.2 Sulzberger to McMillan, one run, shortish ball turning in, well
        worked away towards forward square leg, another quick run taken as
        Spearman scoots in to field from straighter, firing at the
        keeper's end but Astle slides safely home
  23.3 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, slower straight ball, turned away
        towards midwicket, loud shout of 'no!' from McMillan as two
        fielders converge on it quickly
  23.4 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, similar again, this time driven
        straight back to the bowler
  23.5 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, looks to sweep and do it hard but it
        turns into the pad, dropping away justbehind square on the leg
        side, Astle turns down the tight run opportunity this time as
        Griggs is fast to the ball
  23.6 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, good ball once more, Astle forces it
        back down the pitch on the leg side to the bowler

End of over 24 (2 runs) Canterbury 83/1 (RR: 3.46)
GP Sulzberger 3-0-16-0 - Port Hills End
CD McMillan 35* (55b 2x4 2x6) NJ Astle 36* (56b 5x4)

       after a period of 30 runs coming from 4 overs, the last two have
        tightened things up considerably well
  24.1 Schwass to McMillan, two runs, full on leg stump, strongly clipped
        down through midwicket, beats the diving Spearman inside the
        circle, allowing a second to be taken as Douglas has to come
        around to field from deep square leg
  24.2 Schwass to McMillan, one run, McMillan on the charge once more,
        strongly punching it up to the left of sub fielder Morgan at mid
        off for an easy run with the shot
  24.3 Schwass to Astle, FOUR, too short and sits up, Astle gets on to it
        quickly, pulling hard and flat over midwicket, just bouncing
        inside the rope, well forward of Douglas in the deep
  24.4 Schwass to Astle, no run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
        straight to Oram at extra cover
  24.5 Schwass to Astle, one run, high full toss, awkwardly dealt with,
        managing just to drive it down to Hefford at long on
  24.6 Schwass to McMillan, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        guided down to Kelly at third man

End of over 25 (9 runs) Canterbury 92/1 (RR: 3.68)
AM Schwass 5-0-20-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 39* (58b 2x4 2x6) NJ Astle 41* (59b 6x4)

  25.1 Sulzberger to McMillan, one run, flighted full on the legs, well
        worked away towards vacant midwicket, good quick single taken
        easily with the stroke in the end, as Spearman had to field from
        much straighter
  25.2 Sulzberger to Astle, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
        away down to Thompson at long leg
  25.3 Sulzberger to McMillan, no run, floated very invitingly up,
        McMillan resists going over the top, driven straight to Spearman
        at wide midwicket
  25.4 Sulzberger to McMillan, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away
        through backward square leg for an easy run, Thompson in from the
        deep to field
  25.5 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, flighted full on the toes, driven
        straight to Spearman at wide midwicket
  25.6 Sulzberger to Astle, one run, flighted straighter, Astle goes for a
        very fine sweep, top edging it past the keeper, looking for a
        second but they stop as the throw's fired back in quickly

End of over 26 (4 runs) Canterbury 96/1 (RR: 3.69)
GP Sulzberger 4-0-20-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 43* (62b 6x4) CD McMillan 41* (61b 2x4 2x6)

  26.1 Schwass to Astle, no run, good tight ball on a length angling into
        the body, defends it out towards Sulzberger in the covers
  26.2 Schwass to Astle, one run, drifts a bit further into the legs,
        driven firmly straight up towards Hefford at long on
  26.3 Schwass to McMillan, one run, angling on leg stump, worked away off
        the pads out to Douglas at deep square leg
  26.4 Schwass to Astle, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, slashing
        cut shot but can't beat the fine fielding of Smith at point
  26.5 Schwass to Astle, one run, short ball angling on middle and leg,
        strongly swung away flat in the air through square leg, Douglas
        charges in to the ball to attempt the catch but it just falls
        shot, does tremendously well to scoop it up on the half volley on
        the run
  26.6 Schwass to McMillan, two runs, McMillan advances down teh track,
        chipping it over the head of extra cover, pitches in the deep and
        trickles towards the boundary, just picked up inside the rope by
        the cover sweeper, brings up Canterbury's 100 off 162 balls

End of over 27 (5 runs) Canterbury 101/1 (RR: 3.74)
AM Schwass 6-0-25-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 45* (66b 6x4) CD McMillan 44* (63b 2x4 2x6)

  27.1 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, forward, watchfully defends a shortish
        ball straight back to the bowler on the leg side of the pitch
  27.2 Sulzberger to Astle, no run, good tight ball on off stump, Astle
        cuts but slices it straight down to Schwass at short third man
  27.3 Sulzberger to Astle, OUT: a lame dismissal from Astle, tries to
        steer a similar ball away, but this time it's guided in the air
        straight to Schwass at short third man

       Canterbury 101/2, Partnership of 75
       NJ Astle  c Schwass b Sulzberger  45 (69b 6x4 0x6)
       CD McMillan 44* (63b 2x4 2x6) GP Sulzberger 4.3-0-20-1

       a very weak way to get out and ruins the momentum being built so
        well by this pair, Central grab the wicket with open arms and
        Sulzberger's name is once again featured in the bowling columns
        this weekend
       captain Gary Stead comes out as the new batsman
  27.4 Sulzberger to Stead, OUT: dear oh dear oh dear, Stead out in
        similarly lame fashion next ball, out for a golden duck, just
        scooping back the simplest of catches to the bowler who accepts it
        with open arms, Canterbury stumble once more

       Canterbury 101/3, Partnership of 0
       GR Stead  c & b Sulzberger  0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
       CD McMillan 44* (63b 2x4 2x6) GP Sulzberger 4.4-0-20-2

       Sulzberger on a hat-trick without having to do much hard work, and
        out comes Marcel McKenzie to face up to it - not having played for
        Canterbury at all in the Shell Cup this season!
  27.5 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, ooooh! not far off it! McKenzie
        props forward in defence, Sulzberger floats one up nicely just
        past the groping outside edge through to the keeper, incredibly
        close!
  27.6 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, angling on leg stump, turned away
        to backward square leg, and Sulzberger completes a double wicket
        maiden

End of over 28 (maiden) Canterbury 101/3 (RR: 3.61)
GP Sulzberger 5-1-20-2 - Port Hills End
CD McMillan 44* (63b 2x4 2x6) MN McKenzie 0* (2b)

       Oram brings himself back on for Schwass at the Hadlee Stand End
  28.1 Oram to McMillan, no run, good tight straight ball, defends back on
        the off side of the pitch
  28.2 Oram to McMillan, one run, pushes into the covers, a shy at the
        bowler's end for no great reason and there's no backing up so they
        concede an overthrow, much to the delight of this somewhat
        quietened down Canterbury crowd now
  28.3 Oram to McKenzie, no run, short ball outside off stump, defends
        down into the gully
  28.4 Oram to McKenzie, no run, forward, defends down towards Smith at
        point
  28.5 Oram to McKenzie, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        straight to the diving Schwass in the covers
  28.6 Oram to McKenzie, one run, and McKenzie is underway, tight ball on
        off stump worked away down to third man

End of over 29 (2 runs) Canterbury 103/3 (RR: 3.55)
JDP Oram 5-0-24-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MN McKenzie 1* (6b) CD McMillan 45* (65b 2x4 2x6)

  29.1 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
        turned down to Sinclair at short fine leg
  29.2 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, flighted up invitingly, McKenzie
        props well forward to kill it at his feet, Griggs around to tidy
        up from behind the stumps
  29.3 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends
        away towards cover point, Douglas and Oram converge to field
  29.4 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, flighted up very teasingly but
        McKenzie is watchfully, smothering the spin to defend away towards
        Oram in the covers
  29.5 Sulzberger to McKenzie, no run, shorter ball, stands tall to guide
        it down backward of point, Douglas across to field
  29.6 Sulzberger to McKenzie, one run, well forward, guides it away
        towards point, time for an easy single to retain the strike and
        keep McMillan away from it - Central aren't unhappy with that
        right now!

End of over 30 (1 run) Canterbury 104/3 (RR: 3.47)
GP Sulzberger 6-1-21-2 - Port Hills End
MN McKenzie 2* (12b) CD McMillan 45* (65b 2x4 2x6)

  30.1 Oram to McKenzie, OUT: and another one bites the dusts, good rising
        ball outside off stump, McKenzie simply feathers an edge through
        to the keeper, and off he must walk as umpire Cowie gives the nod

       Canterbury 104/4, Partnership of 3
       MN McKenzie  c Griggs b Oram  2 (13b 0x4 0x6)
       CD McMillan 45* (65b 2x4 2x6) JDP Oram 5.1-0-24-1

       Canterbury seriously losing their way now, a lot rests on McMillan
        and new man Chris Harris to steer them back on track now
  30.2 Oram to Harris, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends away into
        the covers to Sulzberger at cover
  30.3 Oram to Harris, no run, lovely ball! sharp rising delivery angling
        in from around the wicket, climbing on Harris who fends at it,
        luckily for him well away from the ball
  30.4 Oram to Harris, no run, full ball on off stump, watchfully stroked
        out to Sulzberger in the covers
  30.5 Oram to Harris, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
        tall to defend into the covers
  30.6 Oram to Harris, no run, similar again, this time defending
        straighter, Oram completes a maiden as the run rate has completely
        come to a stand still

End of over 31 (maiden) Canterbury 104/4 (RR: 3.35)
JDP Oram 6-1-24-1 - Hadlee Stand End
CD McMillan 45* (65b 2x4 2x6) CZ Harris 0* (5b)

  31.1 Sulzberger to McMillan, no run, forward, defends up towards mid on
  31.2 Sulzberger to McMillan, no run, dear oh dear oh dear oh dear,
        Canterbury self-destructing, and Harris' call sees the free
        scoring McMillan on his way, tapped it backward of point, set off
        for the single and McMillan never reacted
       had to set off for the bowler's end but it was far too late,
        Schwass' throw to Sulzberger is accurate and he's well on his way

       Canterbury 104/5, Partnership of 0
       CD McMillan  run out (Schwass)  45 (67b 2x4 2x6)

       Gareth Hopkins the new batsman
  31.3 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
        driven straight to cover
  31.4 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, nudged away through backward point
  31.5 Sulzberger to Hopkins, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
        goes back and forces it down just past the diving Douglas at point
        for a couple as Schwass chases from short third man
  31.6 Sulzberger to Hopkins, no run, driven straight to Oram at cover

End of over 32 (3 runs) Canterbury 107/5 (RR: 3.34)
GP Sulzberger 7-1-24-2 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 1* (7b) GJ Hopkins 2* (2b)

  32.1 Oram to Harris, no run, shortish ball, tucked off the hip down
        backward of square leg, Smith across to field
  32.2 Oram to Harris, no run, props forward in defence, drops it down
        dead in close on the off side with bat/pad tucked together
  32.3 Oram to Harris, no run, walks forward into a defensive push, seams
        sharply back into the top of the pad, half shout by Oram for lbw
        but struck outside the line
  32.4 Oram to Harris, no run, shortish ball, worked awya towards wide
        midwicket, looking for the quick run but Thompson's quickly across
        to cut it off
  32.5 Oram to Harris, no run, steps well forward, defending a ball from
        outside off stump into the covers to Sulzbergber
  32.6 Oram to Harris, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, stands
        tall to play it down through cover point, Douglas in to field from
        the deep

End of over 33 (1 run) Canterbury 108/5 (RR: 3.27)
JDP Oram 7-1-25-1 - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 2* (13b) GJ Hopkins 2* (2b)

  33.1 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, forward, defends away towards point
  33.2 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, firmly
        driven down the ground to Kelly at long off
  33.3 Sulzberger to Hopkins, OUT: one can't say much more than "dear oh
        dear", very short ball sits up, Hopkins goes right back to pull,
        but doesn't get over it properly, pulling it straight down to
        Smith who takes a good catch falling to his left at square leg

       Canterbury 109/6, Partnership of 5
       GJ Hopkins  c Smith b Sulzberger  2 (3b 0x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 3* (15b) GP Sulzberger 7.3-1-25-3

       Sulzberger gets another 3-wicket haul on consecutive days, but is
        grabbing wickets largely through the fault of the Canterbury
        batsmen than fantastic bowling per se
       drinks are brought on to the field at the fall of wicket
       Carl Anderson the new batsman
  33.4 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
  33.5 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, steps well forward, defending back
        to the bowler
  33.6 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, forward, defends down in close on
        the leg side

End of over 34 (1 run) Canterbury 109/6 (RR: 3.21)
GP Sulzberger 8-1-25-3 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 3* (15b) CJ Anderson 0* (3b)

       Thompson returns at the Hadlee Stand End, replacing Oram
  34.1 Thompson to Harris, one run, props forward to one angling in from
        outside off stump, guiding it down to Hefford at third man
  34.2 Thompson to Anderson, wide: no run, short and wide, angling down
        the leg side
  34.2 Thompson to Anderson, no run, shoulders arms to one angling across
        him outside off stump
  34.3 Thompson to Anderson, no run, tight ball on middle and off angling
        back in, turned away straight to Douglas at square leg
  34.4 Thompson to Anderson, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        stands tall to defend it down into the covers to Sulzberger
  34.5 Thompson to Anderson, no run, shortish ball held back, Anderson
        quietly defends it square on the off side once more
  34.6 Thompson to Anderson, no run, shoulders arms to a short rising ball
        outside off stump

End of over 35 (2 runs) Canterbury 111/6 (RR: 3.17)
EP Thompson 7-0-29-0 (3w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 4* (16b) CJ Anderson 0* (8b)

  35.1 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
        down to Schwass coming in to field from long leg
  35.2 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, steps well forward, defends quietly
        into the off side, Oram in from the covers to field
  35.3 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, shortish ball down the leg side,
        tries to glance but misses it
  35.4 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, forward, defends straight back
        along the pitch to the bowler
  35.5 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, steps well forward, quietly
        defending down in close on the leg side
  35.6 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, forward, defending down in close on
        the off side

End of over 36 (1 run) Canterbury 112/6 (RR: 3.11)
GP Sulzberger 9-1-26-3 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 5* (17b) CJ Anderson 0* (13b)

  36.1 Thompson to Harris, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, tucked
        down towards square leg for the easiest of singles as Smith has to
        come in from the deep to field
  36.2 Thompson to Anderson, no run, forward, defends a straight ball away
        towards Smith at point
  36.3 Thompson to Anderson, no run, steps forward, defending watchfully
        back up on the off side of the pitch
  36.4 Thompson to Anderson, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        Anderson just keeps the bat down inside of it angling across him,
        nice delivery
  36.5 Thompson to Anderson, no run, forward, defends down to Smith at
        backward point
  36.6 Thompson to Anderson, no run, full ball on off stump, watchfully
        pushed straight back down the pitch to the bowler

End of over 37 (1 run) Canterbury 113/6 (RR: 3.05)
EP Thompson 8-0-30-0 (3w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 6* (18b) CJ Anderson 0* (18b)

  37.1 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, flighted up full, Harris comes well
        forward, strongly driven back down the pitch, Sulzberger palms it
        down at his ankles
  37.2 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, props well forward, turning into the
        top of the pad as he shuffles across the crease, big appeal for
        lbw from the bowler but coming around the wicket he's rather
        hopeful
  37.3 Sulzberger to Harris, no run, forward, defends quietly down to
        Sinclair at backward point
  37.4 Sulzberger to Harris, one run, forward, scoops one away towards
        forward square leg, quick single taken with the shot as Spearman's
        in to field from midwicket, firing to the keeper's end as
        Anderson's safely home
  37.5 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, forward, squeezes a fully flighted
        ball outside off stump away to Douglas at backward point
  37.6 Sulzberger to Anderson, no run, stretches well forward, defending
        back on the off side of the pitch, and Anderson remains scoreless
        for 20 balls

End of over 38 (1 run) Canterbury 114/6 (RR: 3.00)
GP Sulzberger 10-1-27-3 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 7* (22b) CJ Anderson 0* (20b)

       Sulzberger completes a fantastic finals series with the ball,
        taking 8-70 off 30 his overs, not to mention his contributions
        with the bat and in the field
       Oram replaces Thompson at the Hadlee Stand End
  38.1 Oram to Harris, no run, shortish straight ball, hops on the crease
        to defend it back down on the leg side of the pitch
  38.2 Oram to Harris, no run, similar again, defends back up on the leg
        side of the pitch
  38.3 Oram to Harris, one run, shortish ball, stands tall to pull it down
        to deep midwicket
  38.4 Oram to Anderson, no run, forward, defends away towards Smith at
        point
  38.5 Oram to Anderson, no run, plays and misses, pushing forward from
        the crease at one going straight through outside off stump
  38.6 Oram to Anderson, no run, short rising ball angling into the body,
        hops on the crease to defend down on the leg side of the pitch

End of over 39 (1 run) Canterbury 115/6 (RR: 2.95)
JDP Oram 8-1-26-1 - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 8* (25b) CJ Anderson 0* (23b)

       Schwass returns, replacing Sulzberger who has bowled out at the
        Port Hills End
  39.1 Schwass to Harris, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, hops to
        defend it down in close on the off side
  39.2 Schwass to Harris, two runs, shortish ball angling down the leg
        side, tucked off the hip quite fine, a bit fo work around in teh
        deep for Hefford from long leg and Harris scampers back well for
        the second
  39.3 Schwass to Harris, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, comes
        forward to tap it down to Spearman at midwicket
  39.4 Schwass to Harris, no run, similar again, straight rising ball,
        turns it down to Spearman at midwicket
  39.5 Schwass to Harris, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, fends
        it down just forward of point, quick single taken with the shot as
        the fielder scooting in fails to pick up on the run as he attacked
        it
  39.6 Schwass to Anderson, no run, plays and misses pushing from the
        crease at a lifting ball outside off stump

End of over 40 (3 runs) Canterbury 118/6 (RR: 2.95)
AM Schwass 7-0-28-0 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 11* (30b) CJ Anderson 0* (24b)

       and after a one over stint at the Hadlee Stand End, Oram is
        replaced by Thompson again
  40.1 Thompson to Harris, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        guided down to third man
  40.2 Thompson to Anderson, wide: no run, similar line, but to the right
        hander so a wide down the leg side
  40.2 Thompson to Anderson, one run, tight ball on off stump, opens the
        face to run it down to Kelly at third man, and is at last off the
        mark after 25 balls
  40.3 Thompson to Harris, no run, forward, defends back on the off side
        of the pitch
  40.4 Thompson to Harris, no run, forward, pushes back up on the leg side
        of teh pitch in defence
  40.5 Thompson to Harris, no run, full ball on the toes, strongly clipped
        straight to Spearman at wide midwicket
  40.6 Thompson to Harris, FOUR, angling on leg stump, deftly flicked very
        fine down the leg side past Kelly at short fine leg, the first
        boundary since the 25th over

End of over 41 (7 runs) Canterbury 125/6 (RR: 3.05)
EP Thompson 9-0-37-0 (4w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Anderson 1* (25b) CZ Harris 16* (35b 1x4)

  41.1 Schwass to Anderson, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends back
        down the wicket to the bowler
  41.2 Schwass to Anderson, no run, short rising outside off stump, plays
        and misses trying to guide it away to third man
  41.3 Schwass to Anderson, wide: no run, short and wide outside off
        stump, plays and misses trying to reach for it
  41.3 Schwass to Anderson, no run, straight ball on leg stump, pushes
        back up on the leg side of the pitch in defence
  41.4 Schwass to Anderson, no run, full outside off stump, squeezed away
        to backward point
  41.5 Schwass to Anderson, no run, walks forward, quietly defending a
        shortish ball down in close on the off side
  41.6 Schwass to Anderson, one run, driven straight down to Kelly at long
        on, Anderson doubles his score

End of over 42 (2 runs) Canterbury 127/6 (RR: 3.02)
AM Schwass 8-0-30-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
CJ Anderson 2* (31b) CZ Harris 16* (35b 1x4)

  42.1 Thompson to Anderson, no run, full ball angling away outside off
        stump, strongly driven but straight up to Hefford at mid off
  42.2 Thompson to Anderson, no run, slower ball on middle and leg, stabs
        it down in defence in close on the leg side, Thompson charges up
        to field off his own bowling
  42.3 Thompson to Anderson, one run, charges down the track, lofting over
        the covers, sliced a little but gets a little, Smith charges
        around from deep point to field on the bounce
  42.4 Thompson to Harris, one run, good ball angling into the left-
        handder, Harris spears it away from the leading edge as he's
        squared around, Sinclair makes a superb effort to dive after it
        from backward point, just going short and wide of him to his
        right, down to third man
  42.5 Thompson to Anderson, one run, again comes down the wicket to loft,
        misplayed away towards Smith at deep point, fielding on the bounce
        once more
  42.6 Thompson to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, driven
        straight down to Sulzberger coming up to field from long off

End of over 43 (4 runs) Canterbury 131/6 (RR: 3.05)
EP Thompson 10-0-41-0 (4w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 18* (37b 1x4) CJ Anderson 4* (35b)

       Thompson completes his 10 overs, taking 0-41
       Oram returns, replacing Schwass at the Port Hills End
  43.1 Oram to Harris, legbye: one run, shortish ball on leg stump,
        dropped down in close on the leg side from the pad, quick run
        taken as the field is set on the circle
  43.2 Oram to Anderson, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
        along the ground straight up to Schwass at long off
  43.3 Oram to Harris, no run, full outside off stump again, driven well
        but straight to Sulzberger at extra cover
  43.4 Oram to Harris, no run, full, slower ball, Harris mistimes a
        straight drive back along the deck to the bowler
  43.5 Oram to Harris, legbye: two runs, angling down the leg side, tries
        to pick it off but settles for a fine glance off the pad, Thompson
        chases from short fine leg
  43.6 Oram to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, walks forward into
        a drive up to Kelly at long off

End of over 44 (5 runs) Canterbury 136/6 (RR: 3.09)
JDP Oram 9-1-28-1 - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 19* (42b 1x4) CJ Anderson 5* (36b)

       Hefford returns to bowl out at the Hadlee Stand End, replacing
        Thompson who already has
  44.1 Hefford to Harris, two runs, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
        well worked away through backward square leg, Smith around from
        much squarer in the deep to field
  44.2 Hefford to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, driven straight
        up towards Thompson at long off, coming up to field on the
        circle's edge
  44.3 Hefford to Anderson, no run, drives and misses outside off stump,
        Hefford pushing one through quickly past the outside edge
  44.4 Hefford to Anderson, one run, full outside off stump, nudged away
        towards cover point, quick run easily taken as Spearman's across
        to his left to field
  44.5 Hefford to Harris, one run, forward, nudges one away to vacant
        cover for an easy single with the shot, Oram up to field from
        extra cover
  44.6 Hefford to Anderson, no run, short rising ball outside off stump,
        Anderson charges down the track and swats it down across the line
        from outside off, completely mistiming it, to Oram at midwicket

End of over 45 (5 runs) Canterbury 141/6 (RR: 3.13)
BE Hefford 8-2-11-1 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 23* (45b 1x4) CJ Anderson 6* (39b)

  45.1 Oram to Harris, one run, slower ball outside off stump, nudged away
        towards point for an easy single with the shot
  45.2 Oram to Anderson, no run, rising ball outside off stump, cuts and
        misses once more, Anderson trying his hardest to get out in this
        manner
  45.3 Oram to Anderson, no run, very full and quite wide outside off
        stump, Anderson reaches for it but misses
  45.4 Oram to Anderson, one run, full ball, driven firmly down to Kelly
        at long on
  45.5 Oram to Harris, one run, very full ball, turned away quietly
        towards Spearman at midwicket on the circle edge for an easy
        single
  45.6 Oram to Anderson, one run, down the track, slower ball, pulls it
        away towards wide mid on, mistiming it but allowing the easy
        single

End of over 46 (4 runs) Canterbury 145/6 (RR: 3.15)
JDP Oram 10-1-32-1 - Port Hills End
CJ Anderson 8* (43b) CZ Harris 25* (47b 1x4)

       Oram finishes his 10 overs, taking 1-32, over four spells and his
        last six overs went for just 10 runs
  46.1 Hefford to Anderson, OUT: Anderson shuffles right across his
        stumps, trying to work one to leg, but misses and it seams back
        in, striking rather adjacent to the stumps and umpire Cowie thinks
        so too

       Canterbury 145/7, Partnership of 36
       CJ Anderson  lbw b Hefford  8 (44b 0x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 25* (47b 1x4) BE Hefford 8.1-2-11-2 (2w)

       a 36 run partnership for the 7th wicket done in very slow time, but
        it nudges Canterbury up towards what has been a match winning
        total to defend in the first two finals!
       Stephen Cnunis comes out to bat, with a different job description
        today at number 9 with only 23 balls left in the innings
  46.2 Hefford to Cunis, one run, dropped first ball! angling across the
        right hander going away, thick edges trying to run it away, Griggs
        can't grab it cleanly to his right and it goes down to third man
  46.3 Hefford to Harris, one run, full and straight, driven back past the
        bowler on the leg side, Sulzberger across to field from long on
  46.4 Hefford to Cunis, no run, full on off stump, firmly driven back
        along the pitch, Thompson thrusts out his left foot to kick it
        back down the pitch
  46.5 Hefford to Cunis, one run, full outside off stump, nudging away
        towards point, quick single sprinted as Sinclair picks up the ball
        from backward of square, shapes to have a shy at either end but in
        the end just holds on to it
  46.6 Hefford to Harris, one run, straight on middle and leg, worked up
        towards Spearman at wide midwicket for a quick run with the shot

End of over 47 (4 runs) Canterbury 149/7 (RR: 3.17)
BE Hefford 9-2-15-2 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 27* (49b 1x4) SJ Cunis 2* (3b)

  47.1 Schwass to Harris, no run, shortish ball, tries to pull it through
        square leg but misplays it into the body, drops down in front of
        him, has to get back into the crease as Schwass charges through to
        field
  47.2 Schwass to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, driven up to
        Kelly at long off, brings up a rather laboured 150 for Canterbury
  47.3 Schwass to Cunis, OUT: charges down the wicket to a shortish rising
        ball outside off stump, and just like yesterday gets a big top
        edge skied high in the air, Sinclair runs back from backward point
        to take a good clean catch over his head

       Canterbury 150/8, Partnership of 5
       SJ Cunis  c Sinclair b Schwass  2 (4b 0x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 28* (51b 1x4) AM Schwass 8.3-0-31-1 (1w)

       Ryan Burson the new batsman
  47.4 Schwass to Harris, one run, shortish ball, hops on the crease to
        drop it down towards Spearman at midwicket, easy single taken
  47.5 Schwass to Burson, one run, low full toss, driven down to Kelly at
        long on
  47.6 Schwass to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, driven just
        wide of the diving Sulzberger in the covers, Kelly across to field
        at wide long off

End of over 48 (4 runs) Canterbury 153/8 (RR: 3.19)
AM Schwass 9-0-34-1 (1w) - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 30* (53b 1x4) RD Burson 1* (1b)

  48.1 Hefford to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, driven straight
        to Oram at extra cover, running with the shot
  48.2 Hefford to Burson, one run, tight ball angling in on middle and
        leg, driven straight up towards long on, Thompson charges up to
        field from the deep
  48.3 Hefford to Harris, wide: no run, quicker ball pushed through down
        the leg side, too wide however
  48.3 Hefford to Harris, one run, full outside off stump, pushed away
        towards Oram at extra cover, another easy single on offer with the
        shot
  48.4 Hefford to Burson, one run, jumps down the track, jamming down on a
        very full ball outside off stump, squeezed up towards vacant mid
        off for another simple single
  48.5 Hefford to Harris, one run, Harris looks for the expansive cover
        drive but mistimes it completely, along the ground away to Oram on
        the circle edge, takes yet another single
  48.6 Hefford to Burson, legbye: one run, advances down the pitch,
        looking to swing it away over midwicket, Hefford follows him and
        strikes him full on the pad, kicked away towards cover for another
        run

End of over 49 (7 runs) Canterbury 160/8 (RR: 3.27)
BE Hefford 10-2-21-2 (3w) - Hadlee Stand End
RD Burson 3* (4b) CZ Harris 33* (56b 1x4)

       Hefford completes 10 very good overs taking 2-21
  49.1 Schwass to Burson, one run, full on the toes, driven past
        Sulzberger at wide midwicket, Harris not interested in pushing for
        a second as Kelly's around from straight long on to field
  49.2 Schwass to Harris, SIX, and a wise decision it is from harris! down
        the track to a short lifting ball, swings it hard and high over
        wide midwicket, and into the construction zone blocked off where
        the old embankment was!
       no chance of getting in behind there to retrieve it, so a new ball
        is brought out
  49.3 Schwass to Harris, two runs, low full toss outside off stuump,
        chipped away towards wide midwicket, Oram makes an athletic diving
        tumble and roll on the circle edge, but doesn't stop it completely
        and lets it roll away from him to concede the second
  49.4 Schwass to Harris, two runs, driven down the ground towards
        Spearman at wide long on, Burson sprints back for the second, it's
        a strong return but he just makes it in time, the third umpire is
        referred to belatedly, but comfortably home
  49.5 Schwass to Harris, FOUR, overpitched, Harris launches it straight
        back over the bowler's head, good clean hit, bouncing once inside
        the rope, Harris turning it on in the final overs again for the
        home crowd
  49.6 Schwass to Harris, wide: no run, not a good time to be bowling one
        of these, too wide down the leg side
  49.6 Schwass to Harris, no run, an anti-climactic end, Harris with a
        swing and a miss outside off stump, Burson was looking for a
        possible bye but Harris was too busy practing the shot again

End of over 50 (16 runs) Canterbury 176/8 (RR: 3.52)
AM Schwass 10-0-50-1 (2w) - Port Hills End
RD Burson 4* (5b) CZ Harris 47* (61b 2x4 1x6)

       Canterbury finish with a mildly respectable total of 176/8 - in
        fact the highest of the finals series after totals of 174 and 173
        by the team batting first in the first two finals!
       the pitch is holding up more now, hard to say whether the team
        batting first can defend a total of this order once more in the
        finals
       Central do remarkably well to bowl their 5 bowlers through for 10
        overs apiece again, Oram's juggling of them is becoming an art
        form in itself
       Harris is yet again Canterbury's saviour with the bat, without him
        one can only wonder how they'd far in Shell Cup cricket, and he
        did it in such typical style - very slow and awkward to begin
        with, fluent at the very end
       we're a maximum of 50 overs away from a winner of the Shell Cup and
        with it a place in the inter-country domestic tournament in Perth
        in April
       Central Districts' chase for 177 at a required rate of 3.54 per
        over will begin in just over 30 minutes time at 4:10pm local time
        (0310 GMT)

Match State: Innings Break

       back out return the players and umpires, for the final 50 overs of
        the 2000/01 Shell Cup
       it'll be David Kelly to take first strike to Chris Martin from the
        Hadlee Stand End, with Mathew Sinclair at the non-striker's end
   0.1 Martin to Kelly, no run, full ball on off stump, watchfully defends
        up towards Stead at mid off
   0.2 Martin to Kelly, no run, shapes to defend a quick full ball just
        outside off stump, shoulders arms outside off stump
   0.3 Martin to Kelly, no run, tight ball on off stump, shuffles across
        in behind it in defence, back down the pitch to the bowler
   0.4 Martin to Kelly, no run, very full tight ball on off stump, dug out
        into the covers to McMillan
   0.5 Martin to Kelly, one run, tight ball on off stump, guided off the
        face down to Burson at third man
   0.6 Martin to Sinclair, no run, good quick ball hurries on to Sinclair
        who awkwardly stabs at it in defence, drops it down behind square
        in close on the off side

End of over 1 (1 run) Central Districts 1/0 (RR: 1.00 RRR: 176/49 = 3.59)
CS Martin 1-0-1-0 - Hadlee Stand End
DP Kelly 1* (5b) MS Sinclair 0* (1b)

       Ryan Burson to bowl from the Port Hills End
   1.1 Burson to Kelly, two runs, short climbing ball, Kelly aims to pull
        but it rises on him a bit much, luckily gets away with it as it
        lobs clear of McMillan at square leg, Martin's slow to react from
        long leg as he comes up to field and they get a quick two
   1.2 Burson to Kelly, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, crisply
        driven straight back past the bowler on the off side, good clean
        hit
   1.3 Burson to Kelly, no run, driving at a wider one outside off stump,
        skews it away towards Harris at cover point
   1.4 Burson to Kelly, no run, tighter ball on off stump, guided away to
        Doody in the gully
   1.5 Burson to Kelly, OUT: and another quick opening partnership in the
        Shell Cup finals! cuts at a short ball outside off stump, gets a
        thick top edge that flies fast and high to Astle at first slip,
        taking a fine catch leaping up

       Central Districts 7/1, Partnership of 7
       DP Kelly  c Astle b Burson  7 (10b 1x4 0x6)
       MS Sinclair 0* (1b) RD Burson 0.5-0-6-1

       Craig Spearman the new batsman
   1.6 Burson to Spearman, no run, good ball on a length, Spearman prods
        forward with uncertainty, comes back through the gate and takes
        him on the elbow, deflecting down through to the keeper

End of over 2 (6 runs) Central Districts 7/1 (RR: 3.50 RRR: 170/48 = 3.54)
RD Burson 1-0-6-1 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 0* (1b) CM Spearman 0* (1b)

   2.1 Martin to Sinclair, no run, quick full ball on off stump, jammed
        back out down the pitch to Martin on his follow through
   2.2 Martin to Sinclair, no run, hops on the crease to defend a good
        length ball outside off stump, bottom edging into the pitch back
        to the bowler
   2.3 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full and straight, sweetly clipped on
        the leg side but can't beat McMillan roaming at midwicket
   2.4 Martin to Sinclair, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump,
        magnificent shot, crashed through cover point with fantastic
        timing and power, smashes into the boundary
   2.5 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full ball outside off stump, powerfully
        driven into the ground, away to McMillan at cover
   2.6 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump again, strongly
        driven once more, Stead quickly across to his left to field at mid
        off

End of over 3 (4 runs) Central Districts 11/1 (RR: 3.67 RRR: 166/47 = 3.53)
CS Martin 2-0-5-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CM Spearman 0* (1b) MS Sinclair 4* (7b 1x4)

   3.1 Burson to Spearman, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
   3.2 Burson to Spearman, no run, props well forward in defence with
        bat/pad tucked together, pushes up towards Cunis at mid off
   3.3 Burson to Spearman, no run, shoulders arms to a shortish ball
        moving away from the deck through to the keeper
   3.4 Burson to Spearman, no run, stabs forward in defence outside off
        stump, slides one past the outside edge nicely through to the
        keeper, Spearman tried to hold back the stroke late
   3.5 Burson to Spearman, no run, very full ball, Spearman drives hard
        into the deck, back to Burson who plucks it with his right hand on
        the follow through
   3.6 Burson to Spearman, no run, shapes to defend a good line and length
        ball outside off stump, decides to withdraw the bat well away from
        it in the end, completes a tidy maiden over

End of over 4 (maiden) Central Districts 11/1 (RR: 2.75 RRR: 166/46 = 3.61)
RD Burson 2-1-6-1 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 4* (7b 1x4) CM Spearman 0* (7b)

   4.1 Martin to Sinclair, no run, hops on the crease to defend down a
        tight rising ball on off stump, played away to McMillan at cover
   4.2 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full ball, strongly punched up the
        ground on the leg side, partially slowed down by Martin reaching
        with his right hand on his follow through, up to Cunis at mid on
   4.3 Martin to Sinclair, no run, hops on the crease to defend down a
        rising ball on leg stump, up towards mid on again, McKenzie in
        from forward square leg to intercept it
   4.4 Martin to Sinclair, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, simple
        half volley dispatched through cover point by an aggressive
        looking Sinclair
   4.5 Martin to Sinclair, SIX, short rising ball, Sinclair stands tall
        and pulls it with ferocious power and authority, hard and flat
        over midwicket, just bouncing on the rope, and under the new laws
        that's a six!
   4.6 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, driven strongly
        straight up to Stead at mid off

End of over 5 (10 runs) Central Districts 21/1 (RR: 4.20 RRR: 156/45 = 3.47)
CS Martin 3-0-15-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CM Spearman 0* (7b) MS Sinclair 14* (13b 2x4 1x6)

   5.1 Burson to Spearman, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
        through to Hopkins
   5.2 Burson to Spearman, no run, shapes to play but leaves alone late
        outside off stump again
   5.3 Burson to Spearman, two runs, strongly punched straight up on the
        off side, good diving half stop by Anderson at mid off, parries it
        away and they scurry back for the second
   5.4 Burson to Spearman, one run, worked off the hip through backward
        square leg
   5.5 Burson to Sinclair, one run, opens the face to a shortish ball
        outside off stump, guides it down to Cunis at third man
   5.6 Burson to Spearman, three runs, straight ball on off stump, cross
        batted pull in the air, over midwicket, just overhauled inside the
        rope

End of over 6 (7 runs) Central Districts 28/1 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 149/44 = 3.39)
RD Burson 3-1-13-1 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 6* (12b) MS Sinclair 15* (14b 2x4 1x6)

   6.1 Martin to Spearman, no run, forward, firmly defends straight to
        McMillan in the covers
   6.2 Martin to Spearman, FOUR, overpitched straight ball, picked up
        strongly over wide mid on, a strong start for the visitors as
        Canterbury's bowling isn't coming to the party this afternoon
   6.3 Martin to Spearman, SIX, full on the legs, massive blow over
        midwicket, Spearman hits it with magnificent power, the writing's
        on the wall for Canterbury here
       it takes a while but a couple of kids get around in the
        construction area to collect the ball, saving a replacement being
        needed again
   6.4 Martin to Spearman, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump to a
        rising ball
   6.5 Martin to Spearman, no run, shuffles across the crease to get right
        in behind it in defence back to the bowler
   6.6 Martin to Spearman, SIX, full on leg stump, and again deposits it
        hugely high over square leg, the timing on the shots is
        remarkable, using all the pace off Martin's deliveries and sending
        them sailing

End of over 7 (16 runs) Central Districts 44/1 (RR: 6.29 RRR: 133/43 = 3.09)
CS Martin 4-0-31-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 15* (14b 2x4 1x6) CM Spearman 22* (18b 1x4 2x6)

       Central off to a rip roaring start, a big finals series upset is on
        the cards now
   7.1 Burson to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, drives with the
        foot not fully extended to the pitch of the ball, mistiming it
        into the deck, to Astle at short cover
   7.2 Burson to Sinclair, FOUR, powerfully driven slightly on the up
        through cover point, leaves the diving Harris for dead
   7.3 Burson to Sinclair, no run, straighter, fuller ball, driven back up
        to Stead at mid on
   7.4 Burson to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball, tries to pull but
        misplays it, played down to mcMillan across to field at square leg
   7.5 Burson to Sinclair, no run, forward in defence, played quietly down
        to Astle at short cover
   7.6 Burson to Sinclair, two runs, straight ball on leg stump, worked
        away through vacant midwicket, brings up the Central 50 off 48
        balls, cracking pace set for the chase

End of over 8 (6 runs) Central Districts 50/1 (RR: 6.25 RRR: 127/42 = 3.02)
RD Burson 4-1-19-1 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 22* (18b 1x4 2x6) MS Sinclair 21* (20b 3x4 1x6)

       Chris Harris replaces the expensive Martin at the Hadlee Stand End
   8.1 Harris to Spearman, no run, floated up straight, angling back in to
        the right hander, taken on the knee roll and draws a big appeal
        from Harris but umpire Cowie indicates it was heading down leg
   8.2 Harris to Spearman, one run, full ball angling down the leg side,
        clipped out to McKenzie at deep backward square leg
   8.3 Harris to Sinclair, no run, floated full toss, strongly driven
        straight down to Astle at short cover
   8.4 Harris to Sinclair, one run, angling into the legs, turned away
        through to backward square leg
   8.5 Harris to Spearman, no run, props well forward, defending very
        watchfully up to Astle at short cover
   8.6 Harris to Spearman, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        cramped up trying to cut, chopped into the ground and tamely
        dribbles into the covers

End of over 9 (2 runs) Central Districts 52/1 (RR: 5.78 RRR: 125/41 = 3.05)
CZ Harris 1-0-2-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 22* (22b 3x4 1x6) CM Spearman 23* (22b 1x4 2x6)

       a double bowling change, Cunis on for Burson at the Port Hills End
   9.1 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, driven firmly up
        to Anderson at wide mid off
   9.2 Cunis to Sinclair, FOUR, overpitched just outside off stump,
        cracking straight drive back past the bowler on the off side of
        the pitch, a retrieval job for Anderson at mid off
   9.3 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, straight ball, squared around to defend
        up towards Stead at mid on
   9.4 Cunis to Sinclair, one run, angling on leg stump, turned down to
        Martin at long leg
   9.5 Cunis to Spearman, no run, tight ball on off stump, cut down to
        Harris at backward point
   9.6 Cunis to Spearman, no run, stands tall to defend back up on the off
        side of the pitch

End of over 10 (5 runs) Central Districts 57/1 (RR: 5.70 RRR: 120/40 = 3.00)
SJ Cunis 1-0-5-0 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 27* (26b 4x4 1x6) CM Spearman 23* (24b 1x4 2x6)

  10.1 Harris to Sinclair, no run, tight ball on the off side, firmly
        driven back down the track to Harris
  10.2 Harris to Sinclair, one run, floated a bit winder, driven strongly
        down the ground to Martin at long off
  10.3 Harris to Spearman, no run, slower ball on leg stump,lets it come
        in and take the pad, ballooning away in close on the leg side
  10.4 Harris to Spearman, no run, full on leg stump, turned away to Stead
        at midwicket
  10.5 Harris to Spearman, no run, forward, defends away to Doody at
        backward point
  10.6 Harris to Spearman, no run, quicker full ball pushed through on leg
        stump, Spearman tries to pick it up over midwicket but misses,
        into the pad

End of over 11 (1 run) Central Districts 58/1 (RR: 5.27 RRR: 119/39 = 3.05)
CZ Harris 2-0-3-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 28* (28b 4x4 1x6) CM Spearman 23* (28b 1x4 2x6)

  11.1 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down to
        Astle at short cover
  11.2 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, goes for a crashing off drive but
        misplays it as it comes back into him off the seam fractionally,
        big inside edge dragged back into the pads, Cunis anguishes that
        he didn't quite plan it on
  11.3 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball, stands tall on the crease
        to defend it down to Astle at short cover
  11.4 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, straight ball, worked up towards Stead
        at mid on
  11.5 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, pushes one through fuller outside off
        stump, Sinclair dabbles and misses trying to run it away, through
        to the keeper
  11.6 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends firmly
        away towards McKenzie at cover point, a rare maiden is sighted
        this innings

End of over 12 (maiden) Central Districts 58/1 (RR: 4.83 RRR: 119/38 = 3.13)
SJ Cunis 2-1-5-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 23* (28b 1x4 2x6) MS Sinclair 28* (34b 4x4 1x6)

  12.1 Harris to Spearman, no run, flatter ball pushed through, comes back
        into the pad and draws a huge appeal from Harris, but he got a
        good step forward, turned down though looked quite close
  12.2 Harris to Spearman, FOUR, overtossed, low full toss, crashed
        straight down the ground on the leg side, dealt with as it
        should've been
  12.3 Harris to Spearman, no run, forward, defends back up on the off
        side of the pitch
  12.4 Harris to Spearman, no run, forward, defends to Astle at short
        extra cover
  12.5 Harris to Spearman, no run, well forward once more, defends down to
        midwicket
  12.6 Harris to Spearman, no run, shuffles right back to a shorter
        pitched ball hurrying through on him, gets struck on the knee roll
        and another big appeal from Harris is turned down, moving too far
        down the leg side

End of over 13 (4 runs) Central Districts 62/1 (RR: 4.77 RRR: 115/37 = 3.11)
CZ Harris 3-0-7-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 28* (34b 4x4 1x6) CM Spearman 27* (34b 2x4 2x6)

  13.1 Cunis to Sinclair, two runs, angling on leg stump, well turned down
        through backward square leg, fair work for Martin from long leg to
        get around to it
  13.2 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, full and straight, strongly clipped on
        the leg side but can't beat the diving Stead to his right at mid
        on
  13.3 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
        down into the ground to Doody falling to his right in the gully to
        save
  13.4 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, tight short ball on off stump, forced
        down to Harris at backward point
  13.5 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, strongly punched
        straight up the ground to Anderson at mid off
  13.6 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball, jumps across in the
        crease to get in behind it in defence, played back to the bowler

End of over 14 (2 runs) Central Districts 64/1 (RR: 4.57 RRR: 113/36 = 3.14)
SJ Cunis 3-1-7-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 27* (34b 2x4 2x6) MS Sinclair 30* (40b 4x4 1x6)

  14.1 Harris to Spearman, SIX, massive!!! floated up full by Harris,
        right in the slot for Spearman, send many a mile over wide
        midwicket, and splashes into the big crater of water in the
        construction area where the old embankment was
       another long delay as they have to replace yet another ball, we may
        need to start playing with tennis balls the rate they're being
        lost here
  14.2 Harris to Spearman, no run, this one almost asks to be hit over
        there again but comes back a bit more, played down to Stead at
        midwicket
  14.3 Harris to Spearman, no run, similar again, quietly pushed away off
        the legs to Stead on the leg side
  14.4 Harris to Spearman, two runs, angling further down the leg side,
        well glanced away fine off his pads, McKenzie around in the deep
        to field from much squarer
  14.5 Harris to Spearman, no run, forward, defends away square on the off
        side
  14.6 Harris to Spearman, no run, forward, defends square on the leg side

End of over 15 (8 runs) Central Districts 72/1 (RR: 4.80 RRR: 105/35 = 3.00)
CZ Harris 4-0-15-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 30* (40b 4x4 1x6) CM Spearman 35* (40b 2x4 3x6)

  15.1 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, full and straight, driven straight up to
        Stead at mid on
  15.2 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, driven straight up to Stead at mid on
        once more
  15.3 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball, defends down on the leg
        side, Doody in to field from midwicket
  15.4 Cunis to Sinclair, FOUR, dances down the track, turns it into a
        half volley and the rest is history, lovely pick up shot over wide
        midwicket, and away it goes
       Central have this one in the bag already barring an incredible
        lapse
  15.5 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, shortish straight ball, tucked down to
        Doody coming in to field from midwicket
  15.6 Cunis to Sinclair, no run, shortish straight ball again, defends
        straight back to the bowler

End of over 16 (4 runs) Central Districts 76/1 (RR: 4.75 RRR: 101/34 = 2.97)
SJ Cunis 4-1-11-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 35* (40b 2x4 3x6) MS Sinclair 34* (46b 5x4 1x6)

       Cunis goes back to the top of his mark, ready to bowl another ball
        but umpire Bowden has miscounted from the scoreboard again which
        still says 15.5 overs, but at the last moment he's informed by
        third umpire Tony Hill and that's over
       Nathan Astle replaces Harris at the Hadlee Stand End
  16.1 Astle to Spearman, no run, forward, pushes back up on the off side
        of the pitch
  16.2 Astle to Spearman, one run, full ball, driven firmly up towards
        Burson at mid off, quick run taken with the shot, pressure on the
        fielder as he charges forward to attack it, leaves it behind and
        the run's taken easily
  16.3 Astle to Sinclair, no run, defends away to Stead at midwicket
  16.4 Astle to Sinclair, no run, forward pushes away into the covers in
        defence
  16.5 Astle to Sinclair, no run, forward, defends straight back up the
        pitch to the bowler
  16.6 Astle to Sinclair, no run, plays through a ball too soon that holds
        up off the pitch, looking to work it to midwicket, gets a leading
        edge that pops up towards backward point, but just drops short of
        the fielder

End of over 17 (1 run) Central Districts 77/1 (RR: 4.53 RRR: 100/33 = 3.03)
NJ Astle 1-0-1-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CM Spearman 36* (42b 2x4 3x6) MS Sinclair 34* (50b 5x4 1x6)

       another double bowling change, Carl Anderson replaces Cunis at the
        Port Hills End
  17.1 Anderson to Spearman, one run, flighted full outside off stump,
        driven straight down to long off
  17.2 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, forward, pushes straight back down
        teh pitch to Anderson
  17.3 Anderson to Sinclair, one run, stands back to force it down the
        ground to Cunis at long off off the back foot
  17.4 Anderson to Spearman, no run, tries to sweep a full ball, misses,
        into the glove and down into the front pad, drops down in close on
        the leg side
  17.5 Anderson to Spearman, two runs, low full toss, quietly turned out
        through vacant midwicket, easy couple taken as Martin has a long
        chase around to field from deep backward square leg
  17.6 Anderson to Spearman, one run, swept around the corner, good diving
        stop by Burson to his right at short fine leg, but can't prevent a
        quick single being taken with the shot

End of over 18 (5 runs) Central Districts 82/1 (RR: 4.56 RRR: 95/32 = 2.97)
CJ Anderson 1-0-5-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 40* (46b 2x4 3x6) MS Sinclair 35* (52b 5x4 1x6)

  18.1 Astle to Spearman, no run, forward, pushes straight up to Burson at
        mid on
  18.2 Astle to Spearman, one run, short ball outside off stump, big
        slashing cut shot flies high down through third man, just short
        and wide of Doody racing around to field, on the bounce just
        inside the rope
  18.3 Astle to Sinclair, no run, firmly clipped straight to Stead at
        midwicket
  18.4 Astle to Sinclair, no run, full and straight, strongly driven back
        along the pitch to Astle on his follow through
  18.5 Astle to Sinclair, one run, shortish ball on off stump, clips from
        off stump out through midwicket to the deep fielder
  18.6 Astle to Spearman, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, defends
        away to short cover from the top of the bat

End of over 19 (2 runs) Central Districts 84/1 (RR: 4.42 RRR: 93/31 = 3.00)
NJ Astle 2-0-3-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 36* (55b 5x4 1x6) CM Spearman 41* (49b 2x4 3x6)

       time for a well-earned drinks break
  19.1 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, tight ball on off stump, forced off
        the back foot out to Stead at extra cover
  19.2 Anderson to Sinclair, one run, flighted full, driven straight down
        to Cunis at long off
  19.3 Anderson to Spearman, one run, straight ball angling in, swept
        fine, Burson across to field to his right from short fine leg,
        easy run taken with the shot
  19.4 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball, guided away towards
        point
  19.5 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, similar again, cut straight down to
        point
  19.6 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball, swatted down towards
        Doody at mid on, unorthodox strokeplay

End of over 20 (2 runs) Central Districts 86/1 (RR: 4.30 RRR: 91/30 = 3.03)
CJ Anderson 2-0-7-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 42* (50b 2x4 3x6) MS Sinclair 37* (60b 5x4 1x6)

  20.1 Astle to Spearman, no run, full and straight, picked up low in the
        air towards Stead at wide midwicket, bouncing short
  20.2 Astle to Spearman, one run, pushed up towards Burson at mid on,
        good quick single taken with the shot
  20.3 Astle to Sinclair, one run, angling down the leg side, clipped away
        down to Cunis at deep backward square leg
  20.4 Astle to Spearman, one run, full outside off stump, driven just
        past Redmond sub fielding in the covers, Martin fields at long off
  20.5 Astle to Sinclair, one run, driven up towards wide mid off, Martin
        across to his left to field inside the circle, another easy single
        milked
  20.6 Astle to Spearman, no run, goes for a big shot down the ground but
        it's a bit full and quick on him, mistimes it digging it out up to
        mid on

End of over 21 (4 runs) Central Districts 90/1 (RR: 4.29 RRR: 87/29 = 3.00)
NJ Astle 3-0-7-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 39* (62b 5x4 1x6) CM Spearman 44* (54b 2x4 3x6)

  21.1 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, flighted low full toss, picked
        strongly off the legs but straight to Harris at wide midwicket
  21.2 Anderson to Sinclair, one run, flighted full outside off stump,
        driven down to Cunis at long off
  21.3 Anderson to Spearman, no run, flighted up on the toes, driven
        straight up to Doody at mid on
  21.4 Anderson to Spearman, no run, sweeps but misses, into the pad,
        draws a big appeal from Anderson but umpire Bowden immediately
        shakes the head, heading down leg
  21.5 Anderson to Spearman, no run, shortish ball on off stump, cut
        straight down to backward point where McMillan fields
  21.6 Anderson to Spearman, no run, full outside off stump, driven
        straight up to mid off

End of over 22 (1 run) Central Districts 91/1 (RR: 4.14 RRR: 86/28 = 3.07)
CJ Anderson 3-0-8-0 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 40* (64b 5x4 1x6) CM Spearman 44* (58b 2x4 3x6)

       Martin returns, replacing Astle at the Hadlee Stand End
  22.1 Martin to Sinclair, no run, good tight ball on off stump, defends
        away to McKenzie at point
  22.2 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        but straight up to Stead at mid off
  22.3 Martin to Sinclair, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Sinclair
        dispatches the half volley away through the covers, further
        signalling the changing of the guard in the domestic game this
        year
  22.4 Martin to Sinclair, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        straight to McMillan at extra cover
  22.5 Martin to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball on off stump, opens the
        face and runs it away backward of point where Harris fields
  22.6 Martin to Sinclair, no run, short rising ball on off stump, stands
        tall to force it down into the covers

End of over 23 (4 runs) Central Districts 95/1 (RR: 4.13 RRR: 82/27 = 3.04)
CS Martin 5-0-35-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CM Spearman 44* (58b 2x4 3x6) MS Sinclair 44* (70b 6x4 1x6)

  23.1 Anderson to Spearman, one run, flighted full, sweeping and taken
        low on the pad, rebounds away backward of square leg as Anderson
        appeals for the lbw, strikes the pad but nothing else on the
        replay
  23.2 Anderson to Sinclair, no run, forward, defends back up on the off
        side of the pitch
  23.3 Anderson to Sinclair, one run, firmly stroked up wide of mid off,
        good diving stop of Cunis to his left keeps it down to one
  23.4 Anderson to Spearman, FOUR, too short outside off stump, strongly
        forced off the back foot through the covers, brings up the Central
        100 in good time
  23.5 Anderson to Spearman, no run, well forward, defends quietly away
        towards McKenzie at cover point
  23.6 Anderson to Spearman, two runs, flighted full toss down the leg
        side, easily picked off, swept sweetly down through backward
        square leg, Martin slides around the boundary to save two runs,
        but it doesn't stop Spearman posting his 50 off 62 balls, 3x4, 3x6

End of over 24 (8 runs) Central Districts 103/1 (RR: 4.29 RRR: 74/26 = 2.85)
CJ Anderson 4-0-16-0 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 45* (72b 6x4 1x6) CM Spearman 51* (62b 3x4 3x6)

  24.1 Martin to Sinclair, one run, very full ball, squeezed out on the
        drive, run away down to Doody at third man
  24.2 Martin to Spearman, FOUR, shot of the day, overpitched outside off
        stump, smashed straight up the ground past Stead at mid off,
        rockets into the boundary to bring up the 100 partnership
  24.3 Martin to Spearman, no run, hops on the crease to defend one on off
        stump down towards wide midwicket
  24.4 Martin to Spearman, no run, floated deliberate slow full toss,
        Spearman launches into it and completely mistimes it, spooning it
        up in the air towards Stead at mid off, but fails to get in to it
        in time, fielding on the bounce, Central making all their own luck
        today
  24.5 Martin to Spearman, no run, full outside off stump, powerfully
        driven straight up to Stead at mid off along the ground this time
  24.6 Martin to Spearman, no run, shorter, tight ball on off stump,
        defends down on the off side of the pitch, Martin up to field off
        his own bowling

End of over 25 (5 runs) Central Districts 108/1 (RR: 4.32 RRR: 69/25 = 2.76)
CS Martin 6-0-40-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 46* (73b 6x4 1x6) CM Spearman 55* (67b 4x4 3x6)

       Harris returns, bowling at the Port Hills End in place of Anderson
  25.1 Harris to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball on off stump, forces off
        the back foot to Stead at extra cover
  25.2 Harris to Sinclair, one run, forward, quietly strokes straight up
        through mid off, down to long off coming in to field on the circle
        edge
  25.3 Harris to Spearman, one run, angling on the legs, easily turned out
        through backward square leg for another leisurely single, Burson
        across to field from short fine leg
  25.4 Harris to Sinclair, one run, short ball, picked from off to leg,
        through to Martin at deep backward square elg
  25.5 Harris to Spearman, no run, floated full on leg stump, swept around
        the corner to Burson at short fine leg, just getting it away to
        Harris' despair, fires back the return which hits direct at the
        keeper's end, but they never looked for the run
  25.6 Harris to Spearman, FOUR, floated up invitingly, swung away with
        ease over midwicket, a few bounces and a bit of a roll, and away
        it goes once more

End of over 26 (7 runs) Central Districts 115/1 (RR: 4.42 RRR: 62/24 = 2.58)
CZ Harris 5-0-22-0 - Port Hills End
MS Sinclair 48* (76b 6x4 1x6) CM Spearman 60* (70b 5x4 3x6)

       this pair doing it with nonchalant ease, and while the bowling
        hasn't been fantastic from Canterbury, but they're just proving
        this wicket isn't the hardest to get going on, even if it is
        holding up on the odd occasion
       Craig McMillan replaces Martin at the Hadlee Stand End
  26.1 McMillan to Sinclair, no run, digs a shortish ball in, Sinclair
        cramped up, hopping on the crease to defend down to Astle at
        midwicket
  26.2 McMillan to Sinclair, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
        driven away to Harris at backward point
  26.3 McMillan to Sinclair, FOUR, too short, strongly swung away in the
        air over midwicket, cracking blow and that brings up Sinclair's 50
        off 79 balls, 7x4, 1x6
  26.4 McMillan to Sinclair, one run, angling down the leg side, turned
        down to Cunis at long leg
  26.5 McMillan to Spearman, no run, forward, firmly driven straight back
        on the off side of hte pitch
  26.6 McMillan to Spearman, FOUR, overpitched outside off stump, Spearman
        needs no second invitation, cracking it hard and flat over Stead's
        head at mid off, one bounce and away it goes

End of over 27 (9 runs) Central Districts 124/1 (RR: 4.59 RRR: 53/23 = 2.30)
CD McMillan 1-0-9-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MS Sinclair 53* (80b 7x4 1x6) CM Spearman 64* (72b 6x4 3x6)

  27.1 Harris to Sinclair, no run, slow ball takes an age to come on to
        Sinclair, quietly drops it down in close on the off side in
        defence
  27.2 Harris to Sinclair, one run, full outside off stump, driven down to
        Cunis at long off
  27.3 Harris to Spearman, no run, floated full toss, strongly driven back
        down the pitch on the off side, Harris parries it down with his
        left hand
  27.4 Harris to Spearman, one run, tries to lap from outside off stump,
        gets it away through backward square leg, Burson charges in from
        the deep to fire it back in, Sinclair set off for the second run
        but Spearman doesn't come, it's a direct hit at the keeper's end
        with both
       batsmen down at the bowler's end, fine fielding by Burson, but
        there's a long delay for a third umpire replay to establish just
        which batsman is out as neither wants to go, it shows Sinclair
        didn't quite cross in time so he must leave the arena
       but Sinclair goes off the field to a fine round of applause, but
        after much talk on the field suddenly umpire Bowden issues
        Spearman's marching orders!
       this despite third umpire Tony Hill telling the TV broadcasters
        that he firmly believes Sinclair is out! but after much confusion,
        umpire Bowden runs to the player's tunnel to speak with Sinclair,
        and apologise to Sinclair who mouths an unpleasantry over
       the whole bizarre incident, and after a further delay, back to teh
        wicket comes Craig Spearman, putting his gear back on, what an
        unbelievably strange incident to draw attention away from
        Central's wonderful chase for the Shell Cup

       Central Districts 126/2, Partnership of 119
       MS Sinclair  run out (Burson)  54 (82b 7x4 1x6)

       at last sanity is restored and it'll be the new batsman Ben Smith
        to face Harris, with Spearman at the non-striker's end
  27.5 Harris to Smith, no run, forward, defends straight back down the
        wicket to the bowler
  27.6 Harris to Smith, no run, forward, drops it down in close on the leg
        side in defence, and at last after around 10 minutes, the over is
        completed

End of over 28 (2 runs) Central Districts 126/2 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 51/22 = 2.32)
CZ Harris 6-0-24-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 65* (74b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 0* (2b)

  28.1 McMillan to Spearman, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
        down through cover to Martin in the deep
  28.2 McMillan to Smith, no run, nice slow yorker but Smith reads it,
        jamming it back out down the pitch to the bowler
  28.3 McMillan to Smith, no run, shortish ball on leg stump, worked away
        off the hip down to Anderson at square leg
  28.4 McMillan to Smith, no run, forward, firmly defends back down the
        pitch to the bowler
  28.5 McMillan to Smith, FOUR, angling on the legs and well picked off,
        crisply clipped through midwicket, Astle is slow to react and it
        races away from him to the rope
  28.6 McMillan to Smith, FOUR, McMillan reverts to off spin off two paces
        for the last ball! drops it in short, easily slapped away out
        through cover, this one's going to be over in a canter

End of over 29 (9 runs) Central Districts 135/2 (RR: 4.66 RRR: 42/21 = 2.00)
CD McMillan 2-0-18-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CM Spearman 66* (75b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 8* (7b 2x4)

  29.1 Harris to Spearman, no run, stabs forward in defence, baubles it
        past the keeper but straight to Astle at short third man
  29.2 Harris to Spearman, legbye: one run, sweeps but misses, glanced off
        the pad down to short fine leg
  29.3 Harris to Smith, no run, floated full, driven straight back down
        the pitch to the bowler
  29.4 Harris to Smith, FOUR, shortish ball outside off stump, cut down
        through backward point, the telltale signs say it all, Canterbury
        have effectively conceded and Central are romping home now
  29.5 Harris to Smith, no run, forward, defends down in close on the off
        isde
  29.6 Harris to Smith, no run, forward, pushed back up on the leg side of
        the pitch

End of over 30 (5 runs) Central Districts 140/2 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 37/20 = 1.85)
CZ Harris 7-0-28-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 66* (77b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 12* (11b 3x4)

       Burson returns, replacing off spinner McMillan at the Hadlee Stand
        End
  30.1 Burson to Spearman, one run, full outside off stump, squeezed out
        towards extra cover for an easy single, Martin across from mid off
        to field
  30.2 Burson to Smith, no run, forward, defends down in close on the leg
        side
  30.3 Burson to Smith, no run, forward, defends straight back down the
        pitch to the bowler
  30.4 Burson to Smith, no run, hops on the crease, defending a shortish
        ball on off stump, down to Stead at mid on
  30.5 Burson to Smith, no run, forward in defence, seams back into the
        front pad, big appeal for lbw led by Burson turned down, perhaps
        just striking outside the line
  30.6 Burson to Smith, one run, shortish ball tucked off the hip towards
        midwicket, easy single taken with the shot

End of over 31 (2 runs) Central Districts 142/2 (RR: 4.58 RRR: 35/19 = 1.84)
RD Burson 5-1-21-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 13* (16b 3x4) CM Spearman 67* (78b 6x4 3x6)

       Astle replaces Harris at the Port Hills End
  31.1 Astle to Smith, one run, shortish ball on off stump, guides it away
        from the outside edge down to McMillan at third man
  31.2 Astle to Spearman, no run, stands tall to defend from the crease,
        played out to Stead in the covers
  31.3 Astle to Spearman, one run, short ball outside off stump, strongly
        cut down to McMillan at third man
  31.4 Astle to Smith, FOUR, short ball outside off stump, sits up tobe
        hit, sweetly cut away through backward point past the diving
        McKenzie, it's just a matter of time now
  31.5 Astle to Smith, no run, cut down to Anderson at deepish gully
  31.6 Astle to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        straight back down the pitch

End of over 32 (6 runs) Central Districts 148/2 (RR: 4.62 RRR: 29/18 = 1.61)
NJ Astle 4-0-13-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 68* (80b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 18* (20b 4x4)

  32.1 Burson to Spearman, no run, tight ball on off stump, defends down
        in close on the off side
  32.2 Burson to Spearman, no run, another similar delivery on off stump,
        chopped down into the covers
  32.3 Burson to Spearman, one run, angling on leg stump, clipped away
        through backward square leg, Cunis around to field from long leg
  32.4 Burson to Smith, no run, tight ball on leg stump, defends down to
        Anderson at midwicket
  32.5 Burson to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, driven straight to
        Stead at extra cover
  32.6 Burson to Smith, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, guided
        down to third man, brings up the Central 150

End of over 33 (2 runs) Central Districts 150/2 (RR: 4.55 RRR: 27/17 = 1.59)
RD Burson 6-1-23-1 - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 19* (23b 4x4) CM Spearman 69* (83b 6x4 3x6)

       Anderson replaces Astle at the Port Hills End
  33.1 Anderson to Smith, FOUR, sits up a short ball outside off stump,
        forced away off the back foot through cover point, mcKenzie chases
        to no avail
  33.2 Anderson to Smith, FOUR, and similar again, an even better square
        cut through point, a collection job
  33.3 Anderson to Smith, no run, flighted up full, driven down to mid on
  33.4 Anderson to Smith, no run, forward, driven straight up to Cunis at
        mid off
  33.5 Anderson to Smith, one run, angling on leg stump, turned away to
        Burson at deep backward square leg
  33.6 Anderson to Spearman, no run, shortish ball on off stump, tries to
        carve it away again but not quite enough room, chops it into the
        ground and away to cover

End of over 34 (9 runs) Central Districts 159/2 (RR: 4.68 RRR: 18/16 = 1.12)
CJ Anderson 5-0-25-0 - Port Hills End
BF Smith 28* (28b 6x4) CM Spearman 69* (84b 6x4 3x6)

  34.1 Burson to Smith, no run, forward, seams back in, defends with
        bat/pad back down the pitch
  34.2 Burson to Smith, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
        straight to cover
  34.3 Burson to Smith, no run, shortish ball on off stump, quietly cut
        down into the covers once more for McKenzie to field from cover
        point
  34.4 Burson to Smith, no run, full ball outside off stump, driven
        straight to Stead at extra cover
  34.5 Burson to Smith, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
        strongly down to McKenzie at cover point
  34.6 Burson to Smith, no run, excellent yorker length ball on off stump,
        well jammed out in defence back down the pitch to the bowler

End of over 35 (maiden) Central Districts 159/2 (RR: 4.54 RRR: 18/15 = 1.20)
RD Burson 7-2-23-1 - Hadlee Stand End
CM Spearman 69* (84b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 28* (34b 6x4)

  35.1 Anderson to Spearman, one run, flighted full, driven up towards mid
        off, quick run with the shot
  35.2 Anderson to Smith, no run, tries to sweep, into the pad and
        trickles to short fine leg which brings an appeal
  35.3 Anderson to Smith, no run, sweeps again but into the pad, drops
        down in close on the leg side
  35.4 Anderson to Smith, no run, defends down in close on the off side of
        the pitch
  35.5 Anderson to Smith, FOUR, sweeps once more, this time getting it
        cleanly, very fine and beats the chasing Martin at short fine leg
        to the boundary
  35.6 Anderson to Smith, two runs, well stroked away out through cover
        point, down to two big hits needed to wrap up the Shell Cup with
        14 overs to do it in

End of over 36 (7 runs) Central Districts 166/2 (RR: 4.61 RRR: 11/14 = 0.79)
CJ Anderson 6-0-32-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 70* (85b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 34* (39b 7x4)

       Cunis returns, replacing Burson at the Hadlee Stand End
  36.1 Cunis to Spearman, one run, angling on leg stump, turned down to
        Burson at long leg, 10 needed
  36.2 Cunis to Smith, no run, tight ball on leg stump, turned straight to
        Astle at wide midwicket
  36.3 Cunis to Smith, legbye: one run, angling down the leg side, glanced
        off the thigh pad down to long leg where Burson fields
  36.4 Cunis to Spearman, no run, tight ball on off stump, chops down into
        the front pad from the inside edge
  36.5 Cunis to Spearman, no run, full and straight, driven up towards
        Astle coming in to field at widish mid on
  36.6 Cunis to Spearman, no run, tight ball on off stump, firmly driven
        out to McKenzie at cover

End of over 37 (2 runs) Central Districts 168/2 (RR: 4.54 RRR: 9/13 = 0.69)
SJ Cunis 5-1-12-0 - Hadlee Stand End
BF Smith 34* (41b 7x4) CM Spearman 71* (89b 6x4 3x6)

  37.1 Anderson to Smith, FOUR, advances down the track to a flighted
        ball, strongly driven wide of the diving Burson at mid off, down
        to 5 runs to win
  37.2 Anderson to Smith, two runs, flighted full down the leg side, swept
        down through backward square leg, Cunis around to field from deep
        square leg, 3 needed to win
  37.3 Anderson to Smith, no run, down the track to a full ball, driven
        firmly back down the pitch on the leg side, Anderson partially
        fields low down to his right
  37.4 Anderson to Smith, no run, again advances, looking to crash it over
        the top to finish the game, but is cramped up, squeezed up to mid
        off
  37.5 Anderson to Smith, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, cut
        straight down to McKenzie at backward point
  37.6 Anderson to Smith, FOUR, and it's all over, short ball sits up
        outside off stump, Smith carves it away through point, past
        McKenzie and away to the boundary, and Central Districts are the
        2000/01 Shell Cup champions!

End of over 38 (10 runs) Central Districts 178/2 (RR: 4.68 RRR: -1/12 = 0.00)
CJ Anderson 7-0-42-0 - Port Hills End
CM Spearman 71* (89b 6x4 3x6) BF Smith 44* (47b 9x4)

       they've come through quite wonderful style here at Jade Stadium in
        Christchurch, wrapping up the third final by 8 wickets with 72
        balls to spare, taking the finals series 2-1, coming back from 1-0
        down after the loss at Napier with true grit to climb
       back into the hunt with battling efforts to win both away from
        home, coming back from the dead after being 124/9 yesterday and
        looking like being dealt to in a resounding fashion by their more
        illustrious counterparts, by reputation at least
       Sulzberger's all-round efforts, taking 8-76 off 30 overs in the 3
        finals, including 3 each in the double header weekend here in
        Christchurch turned things, particularly today as Canterbury were
        101/1 and cruising to build towards a strong total, only to
       5 wickets for just 8 runs that killed their hopes of even reaching
        the double century mark, and despite making the largest total
        batting first in these finals, they couldn't hold down the rampant
        Sinclair, Spearman and in later support, Smith
       time for the presentations, with losing captain Gary Stead to say a
        few words first
       he congratulates Central Districts for the fine efforts, most
        deserving of their win, and now the sponsors, and now apologises
        to his coach Garry MacDonald for 'putting the management through
        this'!
       and finally he thanks the officials for their efforts, and now it's
        on to Ollie Turner representing the chief sponsor Shell New
        Zealand, who does the traditional congratulations to Central and
        commiserations to the Canterbury side, and now presents the
       Shell Cup to victorious captain Jacob Oram who thrusts it skywards
        in emphatic jubilation, a great moment for the Central side, their
        first success in 16 years, last winning in 1984/85
       Oram thanks his side for playing so well, given their relative
        inexperience, and reckons they'll go a long way in the future now,
        while thanking Canterbury for making it speical to take it off
        them after such dominance over the past decade
       now Jason McCracken from State Insurance announces the player of
        the finals award, which goes to Central Districts bowler Brent
        Hefford for his most economical efforts, taking 2-21 from 10 overs
        today, and yesterday taking part in a crucial 49-run 10th
       wicket stand with Glen Sulzberger to keep them alive when all
        looked lost yesterday
       he receives his award and quickly departs, reluctant to speak but
        is dragged back out to say a couple of words for TV, just happy to
        be there, a bit of bad luck in front line bowler Michael Mason
        breaking his ankle in the match between these two sides in
       the round robin match at Timaru, allowing him to take a fuller part
        in the Shell Cup, right through to the finals stage
       now the captains go through the team members, handing out the
        medals to the line of players in each team, now the medals for the
        umpires are handed out and there concludes the presentation
        ceremony
       some final parting celebration photos for the Central team posing
        to the cameras, and Jacob Oram shakes the trophy aloft a few times
        for the television cameras, it's a great win for the underdogs to
        breathe life into the Shell Cup competition after a
       long Canterbury stranglehold for so long
       they miss out on the three-peat, after winning in 1998/99 and
        1999/00, which would've been the second in the past 10 years had
        they achieved it, instead it's the second time they've missed out
        - after losing the 1997/98 final to Northern Districts after
       winning the previous two before that
       Central Districts' win also earns them the right to represent New
        Zealand in the inter-country one-day championships with
        representatives from Australia, South Africa and India in Perth in
        April
       it's a great way for Mark Douglas to bow out of the domestic one-
        day game, retiring at the end of the season, on a winning title
        team in his 101st Shell Cup appearance
       there ends CricInfo's coverage of the Shell Cup for the 2000/01
        season, we hope you've enjoyed our full, ball-by-ball coverage of
        all 34 matches
       there's now the Shell Trophy, the Under-19 internationals between
        New Zealand and South Africa, the State Insurance Cup final and
        and National Bank International Series against Sri Lanka and
        Pakistan to look forward to, every single match covered live and
        in full ball-by-ball on nzcricket.co.nz powered by CricInfo.com
       until the first National Bank Series One-Day International between
        New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Napier, starting at 2pm local time
        (0100 GMT) on the 31st, it's goodbye from CricInfo at Jade
        Stadium!
       any comments about today's coverage, please send them on through to
        comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is appreciated

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Date-stamped : 28 Jan2001 - 06:24