Steve McMorran
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30th Match: Wellington v Northern Districts at Wellington, 23-26 Feb 2001 Steve McMorran |
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Wellington 1st innings:
Northern Districts 2nd innings: Pre-game: Northern Districts 1st innings: |
He was the first New Zealander since Dion Nash, for New Zealand against Hampshire in 1999, to take five wickets and score a century in the same match and through that achievement he gave purpose to a day which had been overshadowed by earlier events.
Wellington completed their first Trophy win in 11 years when they took first innings points from Northern 10 minutes before lunch on the third day and from that point, the match lost most of its obvious importance. They went on to 508 in their first innings in reply to Northern's 315, taking a 193-run first innings lead, and allowing little chance of an outright result to either side.
The possibility of a result more substantial than the first innings one already achieved flared only briefly on the fourth morning when Wellington claimed four wickets to leave Northern 140-4 at lunch, still 53 behind. But Bradburn carried them through the middle session and the match ended when he was out in the most unusual circumstances and for 104 - his third first class century in 107 matches for Northern - just before tea.
Northern were then 247-6, Joseph Yovich was 16 not out and there was no point proceeding with the match towards its usual close at 6pm.
Wellington also managed to play most of the last day with a sense of dignity befitting a champion side. They pursued wickets while an outright win was still a faint possibility and it was only in the final hour, as a curtain call to the season, that they allowed some humour to infect their play in a late celebration of their Trophy victory.
In that last hour every member of the Wellington 11 had a turn at the bowling crease, except for Grant Donaldson, who would have bowled if time had allowed, and including wicketkeeper Chris Nevin whose single over was a maiden.
But those shenanigans opened the way for Bradburn's dismissal in bizarre circumstances. He was caught by Nevin - but not as wicketkeeper, at midwicket - from the first ball and possibly the last Richard Jones has bowled in first class cricket.
Before Jones, Stephen Mather - who bowls crisp medium pace in Wellington's Cup side but bowled off breaks today - Matthew Bell, Nevin and Selwyn Blackmore had all bowled. Andrew Penn and Mark Jefferson had taken turns to keep wicket, relieving Nevin of that responsibility.
Jones marked out his bowling run - and the only thing that can be said definitively about his style is that he bowls right armers - in the style of a triple jumper, with a long hop, skip and a jump.
His first and only delivery showed no signs of pitching on its way to Bradburn, who received it at shoulder height and swatted at it dismissively. The ball looped directly to Nevin at midwicket and Bradburn's innings ended after 231 minutes - Nevin had an outfield catch and Jones figures of 0.1-1-0-1.
The irony was that Nevin needed only one dismissal behind the stumps to have more dismissals to his credit in a single season than any other wicketkeeper. He had 41 at the end of Northern's first innings to equal the record set and repeated by former Wellington keeper Ervin McSweeney.
The last dismissal which would give him the record outright eluded Nevin throughout the day and it was only when he moved from behind the stumps that the ball finally found him. To compound the irony, Mark Jefferson dropped a catch from the single over bowled by Selwyn Blackmore when he relieved Penn of the gloves.
Stumps are due to be drawn at tea on the final day of their final match against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve to allow the presentation of the Trophy to the Wellington team at 5pm.
By drinks in the middle session, Northern were 189-5 in their second innings and only four runs from making Wellington bat again. But all hope of an outright result in the match had been lost and it seemed inevitable that the teams would agree to terminate the match, and their Trophy seasons, at the scheduled tea adjournment at 3.40pm.
The remaining interest in the day centres on whether Grant Bradburn, 68 not out at drinks, goes on to get a century in what might be his final Trophy match. Speculation is increasing that Bradburn will take the opportunity at the end of the current season to announce his retirement from first class cricket, to concentrate on family and business interests.
With Bradburn, Joseph Yovich was one not out at lunch.
Only one wicket fell in the second session, that of Matthew Hart who was caught by Selwyn Blackmore from Mark Jefferson's bowling for 18.
It would have been understandable if Wellington had come out for this final day less than prepared to give a full effort, given the fact they completed their victory in this season's Trophy competition before lunch yesterday.
There was only a faint result that an outright result could be achieved by either team, though Wellington held the upper hand with a 193-run first innings lead, and it might have been that Wellington simply frittered away the last hours of the season in aimless byplay.
But that is not Wellington's way and the thorough and professional way they prepared for the day, the determination they brought to their performance spoke eloquently of the character which has carried them to this season's Trophy title.
Wellington set about bowling on a placid wicket with typical determination and by lunch had reduced Northern from 21-0 at the resumption to 140-4, leaving them still 53 runs behind.
They pursued the ball in the field with no less energy than they have done all season and they gave no sign that this day was any less important than any of the 39 Trophy days that have proceeded it.
Wellington first removed Michael Parlane for 19 this morning - eight runs on from his overnight score - when Northern were 35. Parlane dragged a ball from Iain O'Brien back onto his stumps from outside off, giving the first-season medium pacer his 41st wicket of the Trophy season. He remains Wellington's most successful bowler at the end of an outstanding debut year.
James Marshall was next out, lbw to Andrew Penn for 16 after having resumed at 10 not out and Northern were then 46-2. They were 49-3 when Mark Bailey was caught by Mark Jefferson at Point off Penn for four.
Hamish Marshall and Grant Bradburn, in what may be his last match for Northern, put on 78 for the fourth wicket before Marshall was bowled by Jeetan Patel in the 33rd over - the 28th of the day. Bradburn was 33 not out at lunch and Matthew Hart not out 10.
Northern trailed Wellington by 193 runs on the first innings - their 315 surpassed by Wellington's 508 - and resumed this morning at 21-0, enlarging the impression that the match would meander to an early finish.
But Wellington, who trusted the new ball yesterday to medium pacer Matthew Walker and off-spinner Jeetan Patel, brought back Andrew Penn and Iain O'Brien this morning and immediately made inroads into the Northern top order.
O'Brien bowled Michael Parlane for 19 in the eighth over - the third of the morning - and Northern were suddenly 35-1. Parlane, who had resumed at 11, dragged the ball onto his stumps from an inside edge.
Then Penn struck twice within three overs, trapping James Marshall lbw for 16 and luring from Mark Bailey an indiscreet shot which saw him caught by Mark Jefferson at point when he was four. James Marshall was out with the total 46 and Bailey at 49.
Hamish Marshall and Grant Bradburn - who continues to be the subject of retirement rumours - carried Northern to drinks in the middle of the first session without further loss. They were 92-3 when drinks were taken - Marshall 21 not out and Bradburn 20 not out.
Their would have been the same dull aches in tired muscles which spoke of the hard work of the past three days, compounding the long journey of the past three months and there may have been that cloud of mental weariness which dispels before the match begins.
But there would also be, as consciousness returned, a warm feeling that something was different about this sultry Wellington summer morning - dark cloud melting under a rising sun.
And in time these Wellingtonians, smiling fixedly as they had been for most of the past 24 hours, would remember with advantages that the greatest change in their lives today was that they could now call themselves champions.
Shell Trophy champions.
Yesterday, with their completion of a first innings win over Northern, Wellington cemented their lead in the Trophy competition with only one of its 40 days remaining and became Trophy champions for the first time in 11 years.
And that achievement, which marked the graduation of this young Wellington team unders its new captain Matthew Bell who celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday, will inevitably but subtly change their lives. Because Wellington have left behind the various baggage their teams have carried over the past 11 years and which they inherited when this season began.
They are no longer chokers, no longer under-achievers, no longer the team that falls, always, at the last fence.
This Wellington team, still in its development stages, emphatically and deservedly captured the Trophy title. They have led the competition throughout the season, from the very first round, and in their 10 matches they have won outright on four occasions and taken first innings points in five other games.
They call themselves a family and it is that unity which has carried them so impressively through the trials of this longest Trophy season.
The last day of this Trophy match has become a formality with Wellington's success yesterday. An Outright victory seems outside the reach of either side but have would no real importance in the context of the season, only as a footnote to history already made.
Northern will resume this morning at 21-0 in their second innings, trailing Wellington by 172 runs after Wellington reached 508 in reply to Northern's 315.
Those qualities are more easily illustrated than itemised.
Wellington passed Northern Districts' first innings of 315 at 12.40pm - 10 minutes before lunch - when Matthew Walker steered a ball from Graeme Aldridge through third man for four, moving his total from 31 to 35 and Wellington's from 314 to 318.
They batted on to reach 508 by 5.30, and were all out with an overall first innings lead of 193. Northern reached 21-0 in five overs before stumps.
But the focal point of the day and the match were those runs in the morning session which gave Wellington two first innings points and lifted them to their first Trophy victory in 11 years. Then at the wicket were Walker and Grant Donaldson who in a sense epitomise the nature of this championship-winning Wellington team - the former an import disregarded in his home province and the latter a local player with a smattering of first class experience over the past two seasons, suddenly lifted to another level in a tight-knit side.
The manner in which Wellington approached its task in this match was also revealing. They set their sights on first innings points - they led the competition by six points entering the last round and needed only two points to make their Trophy win secure - and they went about getting them with a clarity of purpose and cool determination.
Richard Jones gave them a foundation with an inspiring innings of 147 which ended with the third ball of today's play, then there were contributions throughout the day of 56 from Donaldson, 57 from Walker, 71 not out from Mark Jefferson and 42 from Jeetan Patel.
There are two more strengths openly displayed. Jones is a player, neglected in Auckland after unspectacular first class form, who found a new lease of life in Wellington and an environment which drew out the very best of his talents.
But this is not a team of individuals. Matthew Bell and Jones have contributed mightily with the bat this season and Iain O'Brien, Andrew Penn and Walker conspicuously with the ball. But the strength of the side is that everyone seems able to step up and perform a task when required. If one fails, another finds the strength to do the job.
There was more. The great unity of the side was obvious in their mutual celebration when the victory was achieved.
Walker and Donaldson congratulated each other in mid-pitch - they were then 35 and 40 respectively and had seen Wellington through a nervous patch - and they accepted on Wellington's behalf the congratulations of the Northern Districts players.
But on the players' verandah overlooking the ground the Wellington team also rose in unison to cheer the two men at the crease, then to shake each others' hands methodically, to congratulate their captain - Bell - and their coach - Vaughn Johnson. It was a relatively quiet but heart-felt celebration and it demonstrated the closeness of these players and how much they share the enjoyment of each other's success.
There had been slightly nervous moments for Wellington this morning before their victory was completed. They lost Jones for his overnight score of 147 to the third ball of the day - "I tried to play a shot as if I was 147 not out and it was still last night, not like it was the third ball of a new day" - and then two further wickets fell before drinks in the morning session.
Wellington lost Selwyn Blackmore for 15 and Stephen Mather for six and were suddenly 261-4 after being 229-1 at the resumption.
But then another of their impressive qualities emerged. They fought back and there were partnerships later of 85 between Donaldson and Walker, 43 between Jefferson and Penn and 74 between Jefferson and Patel which revived the innings.
Hard-headedness was another factor and there was plenty of that in Wellington's collective approach and in the preparation indviduals bring to their games. But nor is talent stifled within the disciplines of this Wellington team. They are still relaxed, they still enjoy the game and young talent expresses itself.
They achieved the first innings lead at 12.40pm - 10 minutes before lunch - that gave them two points from this match on top of the six point lead they already held in the Trophy competition and made them New Zealand's first class champions for the first time in 11 years.
But by tea they had reached 430-7 in reply to Northern's first innings of 315 and showed no signs of terminating their innings. Mark Jefferson was 41 not out, Andrew Penn 8 and Wellington had lost three wickets since lunch but their innings continued.
In batting on Wellington were being more mindful of the battered nature of their bowling attack than attempting to crush Northern unmercifully.
Their bowlers are sore and tired near the end of a long season and Wellington will hope to spare them the need to bowl for a day or more today and tomorrow in support of a cause already won.
Matthew Walker and Grant Donaldson were out between lunch and tea - Walker for 57, Donaldson for 56 - and Chris Nevin also fell for 23.
Jefferson batted well to hold together the late middle order and by tea, Wellington had a handly 115-run lead in a match now simply passing through its last formalites.
Northern made their own small gesture towards Wellington's celebration of their Trophy success when in place of the first ball of the second over after lunch, medium pacer Graeme Aldridge bowled an apple to Wellington batsman Matthew Walker. The apple exploded spectacularly in the middle of the bat of the startled Walker and umpire Billy Bowden was no less surprised - but the incident served as notice that the most important part of this match is over.
By drinks in the middle session on this third day Walker and Grant Donaldson, who were at the middle when Wellington surpassed Northern's first innings total of 315 and gained the two first innings points that cemented their Trophy victory had gone on to half centuries and were out.
Walker reached 50 in 112 minutes with seven fours and a six over the scoreboard at the southern end of the ground and went on to 57 before he was bowled by Aldridge - his off stump sent cartwheeling. Donaldson followed him more slowly to his 50 and was out for 56, caught by James Marshall off Grant Bradburn who now has four wickets in the Wellington innings.
It was signficant for Wellington's Stokes Valley club that the batsmen in the middle when the runs were scored that gave Wellington Trophy victory were both from championship-leading team and that Richard Jones, who contributed 147 to Wellington's total, is also of their number.
By drinks Wellington had gone on to 369 with Chris Nevin 10 not out and Mark Jefferson one not out. Wellington seems likely to continue to bat for as long as possible to minimise the need for their bowlers, who are tiring near the end of a long season, to have to work again tomorrow.
Matthew Walker steered Graeme Aldridge through third man for four - both names gain a little lustre from their involvement in the moment - and on the lighted scoreboard at the Basin Reserve, Wellington's total ticked over from 314 to 318-4.
With those runs, from the third ball of the 104th over of Wellington's first innings, Wellington gained first innings points from their match against Northern Districts, their last of this Trophy season, and with it they gained the Trophy itself for the first time in 11 years.
Walker was then 35 and his partner, Grant Donaldson 40 not out. The pair had added 57 runs for Wellington's fifth wicket and they immediately met in the middle of the pitch to shake hands and exchanged high fives.
They then turned to the balcony of the players room where all of their Wellington teammates were gathered and where, when the winning runs were struck, had had risen to their feet in acclamation.
The last hour of the match had been a nervous trial for some, a period of quiet reflections for others. Mark Gillespie, 12th man for this match, had completed a crossword. Richard Jones, who made 147 and had been out to the third ball of the day, read a book.
Wellington had resumed at 229-1 this morning and had lost Jones to the third ball of the day. They had then lost Selwyn Blackmore and Stephen Mather before drinks were taken and they were 271-4, needing 45 runs for first innings points, when drinks were taken.
But Walker and Donaldson had taken them cautiously through the second hour of the morning session and the significant runs had come 10 minutes before lunch.
There were possibly 100 spectators in the ground to see the winning runs hit, the celebration, the Trophy competition decided in 2000-2001 - a Wellington victory for the first time since 1989-90.
Their numbers were insignificant. The performance of a Wellington team which had led the competition throughout the season was far more important, irrespective of the numbers there to celebrate.
By lunch Wellington was still 318-4 and the serious business of the day had been completed though the match continues through tomorrow.
The batsman out today, Jones for 147, Blackmore for 165, Mather for 6 had all been part of the celebration.
And Northern Districts had acknowledged Wellington's achievement in taking the Trophy from their grasp - for they were second in the competition when this match began - with mild applause and shaken hands.
Spectators had barely settled themselves on the Basin's bank or terraces to enjoy what might be an historic day for Wellington cricket, when Jones was out at his overnight score of 147.
There were still spectators laying down their towels or blankets, arranging carry bags or donning sun screen when Jones, leaning on the back foot, sparred at the third ball of the day and provided a return catch to Grant Bradburn.
Jones was out in the manner of his opening partner, Wellington captain Matthew Bell, who was caught and bowled by Bradburn yesterday when Wellington was 154.
Jones fell at Wellington's overnight score of 229 but while there was disappointment his innings had ended so quickly and so meekly there was no immediate concern that Wellington had been arrested in their chase for Northern's first innings of 315.
But when Selwyn Blackmore was out for 15 when Wellington was 248 and Stephen Mather gave catching practice and was out for six at 261, a measure of concern began to arise. Wellington's run rate had slowed to a crawl and a target which seemed so easily attainable when the day began had suddenly become troublesome.
By drinks, Wellington was 271-4 and there were only 46 runs needed for the first innings lead which will give Wellington their Trophy victory. But Wellington had made only 52 runs for the loss of three wickets in the first 70- minutes of play this morning and they had begun to make things difficult for themselves.
As many teams do in these situations, chasing a total that at first seems easily attainable and then becomes more difficult, they become almost cast. Players become overly defensive and the total stalls while wickets continue to fall.
Wellington could have been in even greater trouble by drinks had Northern's catching been sharper. Two catches were put down in slips this morning - Grant Donaldson was dropped on 15 and Mather on four - and the advantage of the morning belonged strongly to Northern.
Blackmore fell to a slip catch, caught by James Marshall at first slip off Bradburn while Mather gave catching practice to Hamish Marshall behind point, flat batting a bounce from Joseph Yovich to the fieldsman.
By drinks, Donaldson ws 20 not out and Matthew Walker eight not out.
More than a decade has passed since a Wellington team last held the Trophy and the long interim has often been bitter and frustrating. But Wellington stand poised this morning, on the third day of their match against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve, to take the final step in a well-calculated campaign and to win the competition after an 11-year delay.
They will resume at 229-1 in reply to Northern's 315, with Richard Jones 147 not out, needing 87 runs to gain the first innings points that will award them the Trophy title. The match won't end at that point of course....it will be played to whatever conclusion late on Monday afternoon.
But Wellington's work might well be done today. They came into this match with a six point lead over Northern in the Trophy competition and needing first innings points or a draw to confirm the first placing they have held for most of the season.
It would be difficult for the most hard-bitten parochialist to argue that the win - if it comes - would be undeserved. Wellington have won four matches outright this season and taken first innings points in four others, they have led the championship since it began and they have risen to any of the many challenges that have been laid in their path these last four months.
The weather in Wellington is fine again today - seeming to smile on Wellington's endeavour - and there is so far only a small crowd at the Basin Reserve to see the season's denouement.
He hadn't a first class century to his name when he came to Wellington from Auckland as something of a cricketing refugee - ignored by the regime in his home province and eager to put down productive roots elsewhere.
As with all refugees he had, at first, to accept what was offered to him and the only vacancy in a Wellington team with notable batting strength was as an opener, as partner to Wellington's new captain Matthew Bell. Jones quickly accepted the position and made it his own with a number of bright and promising innings and series of substantial partnerships with Bell which helped Wellington to their early advantage in the Trophy competition.
But it was against Canterbury four matches ago in Christchurch that Jones, growing in confidence and developing sound technique to back his natural fluency and his range of shots, broke through for his first first class century - 145 in a high-scoring match.
For a player such as Jones, who could be counted a late developer and who has worked hard for the successes he has achieved this season, that breakthrough hundred was a huge relief, a delight and a vindication.
But it was also simply the start of something big. Jones has gone on since to post two more centuries in three games - 188 against Otago two matches ago at the Basin Reserve and today, most specially, 147 not out in a continuing innings against Northern Districts.
Jones' century and his latest partnership of 154 with Bell for Wellington's first wicket has lifted them to 229-1 in their first innings at stumps in reply to Northern's innings of 315. Wellington now stand poised through the efforts of Jones, Bell and Selwyn Blackmore in a supporting role during the final session, to reach the first innings lead tomorrow which will guarantee their victory in the 2000-2001 Trophy competition.
With Jones' notable assistance and Bell's attractive and accomplished 64, Wellington regained control of the match today as it seemed to have been taken from them by an assertive late-order batting performance from Northern Districts.
Northern resumed this morning at 247-8 in their first innings with the batting and bowling honours from the first day effectively shared. But with the help of a superb ninth wicket stand of 60 in 97 minutes between Robbie Hart and Graeme Aldridge they were able to put before Wellington a first innings total which was much larger than had ever previously seemed likely.
Hart and Aldridge were both 0 not out when play resumed this morning and they took their scores on today, with solid method and great determination, to 26 and 37 respectively. Their partnership was finally broken by the dismissal of Aldridge - a controversial occasion - when Northern were 307 in the 122nd over.
He was adjudged caught and bowled by Jeetan Patel after a consultation between umpires Billy Bowden and Barry Frost on the question of whether the ball had carried. Aldridge showed no inclination to leave before their consultation and even less when it had been concluded and Frost had indicated his dismissal.
He held his ground and left the field, slowly, with vividly-displayed reluctance.
The Northern innings then stumbled on to 315 when Hart was out and Wellington looked up at the scoreboard and at a total which, in the context of the match seemed formidable.
But the manner in which Bell and Jones went about establishing the run chase today was wholly indicative of the way Wellington have approached this season - with great boldness and demonstrated purpose. No task has been to great for them and they have to their credit four outright wins and an additional five first innings results in their 10 matches including todays.
Jones, from his stance which points towards midwicket, struck the ball firmly from the front foot, through cover and midoff and even, with dainty footwork, through mid-on and then, pugnaciously, through squareleg.
He reached his 50 in 117 minutes from 73 balls and he pressed the run chase with slightly more speed than Bell.
In turn, Bell's 50 came in 153 minutes from 127 minutes but his range of shot selection from an awkward guard was also wide and impressive. He favoured, slightly more, the leg side shots particularly those square of the wicket but he shoed a fortitude and patience equal to Jones.
He was finally out, to his obvious disappointment, caught and bowled by Grant Bradburn when he was 64 and Wellington were 154 in the 49th over. He had for a very long time been looking at his sixth Trophy century this season and Bell was clearly angered - at himself only - that he had let that tasty prospect pass. This partnership with Jones might also be his last this season with his welcome opening partner.
Jones was the dominant figure in the Wellington innings. He went on to 147, adding 74 in an unbeaten stand for the second wicket with Blackmore who contributed only seven runs to that partnership.
He finally raised his century in signal fashion with a six over square leg from Joseph Yovich in the 52nd over. He had been at the crease 212 minutes at that point and faced only 145 balls.
Jones quickly fastened down his concentration and continued on to another substantial score. Through his efforts and with his presence at the wicket at the start of play tomorrow Wellington can viably hope to exceed Northern's first innings score and complete what would be a des erved victory in this season's Trophy competition.
Wellington had moved from 5-0 at lunch to 115-0 at tea and suddenly Northern's first innings of 315 seemed less formidable than it once had..
Jones was 60 not out at tea and Bell poised for another half century was 49 not out. Wellington were immediately breathing down Northern's neck, pressing for the first innings points that will give them the Trophy title.
Once again, it seemed a case of Wellington doing what had to be done when it had to be done - the hallmark of a strong and well-prepared team. They needed the openers to give them a steady beginning and once again Jones and Bell stepped up to the mark and did so.
Both played with confidence and technical excellence on a pitch now yielding to batsmanship. Jones played some florrid drives but also pierced the field on either side of point and behind square leg.
Bell cut and pulled the ball with power and authority and neither offered a definite chance, nor even the prospect of a hopeful appeal in the period between lunch and tea.
Their 115 run partnership had taken only 146 minutes and 35 overs and the balance of the match, nearly even at the start of play then tipped in Northern's favour by some strong tailend batting had again leaned towards Wellington.
Wellington, who had been five without loss at lunch, had gone on to 73-0 after 18 overs at drinks in the second session. Both Matthew Bell and Richard Jones were 34 not out.
Wellington's strokeplay was bold and positive and they looked well placed on a placid wicket to challenge Northern for the two first innings points which will cement their first Trophy win in 11 years.
Bell who showed and inclination to get on with the job when he chased a couple wide of off stump before lunch played with much more selective aggression in the second session. He played some of his characteristic pull shots when the bowling fell short of a length but his best shot was a sweet push through midwicket from an over-pitched ball from Joseph Yovich.
Jones also opened his shoulders to drive, cut and pull and his scoring kept constant pace with Bell's.
Simon Doull had short spells from both ends of the Basin Reserve but couldn't restrain the Wellington batsman. Graeme Aldridge suffered most, however, conceding 21 runs from his first two overs.
Northern resumed their first innings this morning at 247-8 and were finally all out 30 minutes before lunch for 315, a substantial total on a pitch which is slow and beginning to keep low.
Wellington's hope this morning was to wrap up the Northern innings as quickly as possible and to leave themselves a moderate total to chase for the two first innings points which would give them the Trophy title.
But Robbie Hart and Graeme Aldridge, who were both 0 not overnight, produced a gritty ninth wicket stand which added 60 runs in 90 minutes and Wellington were deflected from that purpose. The stand was finally broken, with considerable controversy, when Northern was 307 and the total before Wellington was already substantial.
Aldridge made a bright 37, facing 75 balls, but he was clearly less than pleased with the manner of his dismissal. He was adjudged caught and bowled by the offspinner Jeetan Patel in the 42nd over with the second no ball but the batsman was clearly under the impression the ball had not carried to the bowler.
Umpire Barry Frost, at the non-striker's end, was also uncertain and approached his colleague Billy Bowden at square leg to confirm the catch had been taken. With the agreement of both umpires, the catch was awarded but Aldridge continued to hold his ground.
He stayed at the crease for a minute more then left the ground at a funereal pace, allowing his facial expression and his body language to fully emphasise his displeasure.
Hart stayed on after Aldridge's departure to see another eight runs added for Northern's last wicket. He was finally out for 26, bowled by Mark Jefferson to end a Northern innings that had lasted 511 minutes.
Wellington began their first innings before lunch and in 14 minutes had taken their score to 5-0 after four overs at the adjournement. Matthew Bell was three not out and Richard Jones 2.
But the size of Northern's first innings was clearly distracting to Wellington and their progress to their first Trophy victory in 11 years was suddenly more difficult than in had seemed.
It might have been Wellington's ambition to wrap up the Northern first innings as quickly as possible today but, if so, it was a frustrated one.
Northern resumed at 247-8 and by drinks had gone on to 288-8, adding 41 runs without losing a wicket. Wellington's hope of having a moderate total to chase for the first innings points that will give them the Trophy table had begun to fade and Northern's innings began to loom larger and larger.
Both Robbie Hart and Graeme Aldridge had been 0 not out overnight. By drinks Aldridge had taken his score to 24 and Hart to 16.
Wellington worked hard for the vital early breakthrough but, despite many appeals, they could dislodge neither batsman.
The Wellington dressing room had the appearance of a casualty ward as players, tired by their efforts on the first day, sought medical attention for soreness brought on by sheer hard work.
The bowlers formed their own queue in one corner of the dressing room, waiting for whatever relief could be easily and effectually provided in the minutes before the game. Among them, medium pacer Iain O'Brien had extreme soreness in his back, Andrew Penn was wounded in the back and side and Matthew Walker who bowled 29 tiring overs yesterday for two wickets and at the cost of 48 runs was sore in the knees.
Even wicketkeeper Chris Nevin, who claimed two catches yesterday to equal the record for dismissals in a single Shell Trophy season, was also affected by soreness in the knees.
But none could be kept from taking the field today, no matter how great their discomfort.
Wellington were still poised at the end of the first day in a position to tie up the Shell Trophy title even by the end of this day if all goes well and, at any stage, for the first time in 11 years.
Northern won the toss and batted yesterday and were 247-8 at the close of play - Robbie Hart and Graeme Aldridge at the crease and both still to score.
The advantage after the first day was closely and technically Wellington's because they need only first innings points from this match to win the Trophy title. If they can capture the last two Northern wickets this morning and cheaply they have a chance by the end of play today or early tomorrow of having those points and the title already in safekeeping.
It won't be an easy task, even with 250 or 260 to chase. The pitch is giving little help to the bowlers but it is starting to keep low and batsman must be patient and watchful.
The day in Wellington is gloriously fine and sunny with a slight but firming northerly breeze and a peak temperature forecast of around 26 degrees.
It is a match, to coin a phrase, for all the jellybeans. If Wellington take even first innings points they will win the Shell Trophy for the first time in 11 years. If Northern deny them that object and win the match outright, they might supplant Wellington in their position as the competition's top dog.
So though the first day's play was never racy, nor dramatic nor even entirely compelling it had an underlying importance which made it more demanding on the nerves of its participants and more impressive for a handful of spectators.
By the end of this first day, which was more a day of thrust and parry, of preliminary skirmishing than of daring or extraordinary flanking movements, Northern had taken their total to 247-8 to suggest the total Wellington will eventually chase for those precious first innings points will not be enormous. It might yet be demanding because the pitch on which the match is played is pleasant but no batting paradise.
But for the fortitude of Hart, who led the individual scoring today with 55, Yovich who made 43 and Doull who rattled off 32 from 35 balls in one of the day's more flamboyant performances, Northern's total might not have been testing at all.
The teams came to the ground this morning with complementary ambitions. After a glance at the pitch Wellington determined to bowl on winning the toss and Northern to bat so, though Northern called correctly, the outcome was a formality.
Wellington would have been the more satisfied of the two teams at lunch when Northern was 76-3 and when the top three in the visitors order were all removed - James Marshall for 21, Michael Parlane for 33 and Mark Bailey for 3.
The second session was one in which slower progress was made by the batting side - a further 66 runs were added and two wickets were lost - and by tea the match had some balance. Northern were 142-5 and had seen the departure in the previous two hours of Hamish Marshal for 19 and Grant Bradburn for a patient 35. Bradburn batted 141 minutes for those runs and hit three boundaries; Marshall hit two.
But there were more runs in an evening session which substantially brightened the day. Hart and Yovich were together at lunch, 21 not out and four not out respectively, and they went on to impress substance on the total.
They batted in partnership for 84 minutes to add a valuable 78 runs and when they were parted, Northern were more comfortable at 209-6. Hart was the first of the partners to lealve, caught by Chris Nevin off Andrew Penn for 55. His innings lastered 140 minutes, he faced 106 balls and hit eight fours.
Yovich went on to add 36 with Doull for the seventh wicket before he was stumped by Nevin from Matthew Walker's bowling for 43. It was Walker's third wicket of the innings, a reward for an accurate and niggardly performance, and Northern were 245-7. Yovich had rfaced 98 balls and hit five fours.
Simon Doull revved the innings, as he often does, and lifted its tempo from a slow four, four to a calypso beat. He stayed at the crease for less than an hour, he faced 35 balls but he hit five fours in a sprightly, defiant 32.
His departure brought to the crease Robbie Hart and Graeme Aldridge who were both 0 not out at stumps.
Walker had done his work well, bowling principally from the R A Vance Stand end. He had three wickets for 48 runs from 29 overs - a day's hard yakka. Andrew Penn was similarly rewarded and had 3-82 from 25.
If Northern's purpose in batting on winning the toss was to post a score so substantial that they negated Wellington's obvious pursuit of first innings points, they took a particularly painstaking course towards that object.
Northern were 76-3 at lunch and the honours in the first session were with Wellington who would have bowled had they won the toss.
The second session brought only 66 more runs - something of a misrepresentation of a wicket suited to batting - and two more wickets to Wellington who could still be said to hold the upper hand.
Hamish Marshall had taken his lunchtime score of 11 on to 19 when he was bowled by Matthew Walker for 19 when Northern was 100. Grant Bradburn patiently pushed his total, which was four at lunch, on to 35 in 141 minutes when he was bowled by Jeetan Patel and Northern were 131-5.
They had moved on, with similar placidity, to 142-5 at lunch at which point Joseph Yovich was four - perhaps poised to lead the run-scoring in the late afternoon - and Matthew Hart was 21.
But the tempo of the match had been slow and if Marshall, Bradburn or Hart have a wide repertoire of attacking shots, they were distinctly under-employed.
Marshall batted 103 minutes for his 19 runs, hitting two boundaries and conceding bragging rights for the day to brother James who opened the batting, made 21 runs and hit three boundaries.
The pace of Bradburn's innings was even more measured. He faced 114 balls in that 145-minute stay at the crease and hit three fours in his 35. There were partnerships in the afternoon of 37 in 85 minutes for the fourth wicket between Bradburn and Marshall and 31 in 55 minutes between Bradburn and Hart for the fifth.
Wellington had moved in the latter part of the second session to a more defensive field for the first time in the day. Generally they had taken a highly positive and attacking stance. Only as the ball tired did their policy change.
They could look forward in the final session today to the advent of the second new ball, the possibility of reintroducing the pace of Andrew Penn and Iain O'Brien and perhaps to breaking a solid partnership.
It's not only that Wellington will have taken outright wins so far from four of their nineTrophy matches this season and outright points from four more that declares them worthy of the Trophy title. It's their ability to rise to the challenge of necessity, to make most of the play in all their matches and to take a positive hand in determining their own future that adds to their impression of worthiness.
Wellington came into this match needing only first innings points to cement their top place on the Trophy table - a position they currently hold by six points or the margin of an outright win. If they can prevent Northern winning this match outright the Trophy competition is their's for the first time in 11 years.
Wellington could afford to sit back and to allow Northern to make most of the play, aiming only to stymie them at every turn. Instead, Wellington were quite prepared to make the running in the match and to take the larger risk of losing to win the competition with comfort.
They intended to bowl first if they won the toss and they ended up doing so, though the toss went Northern's way, because Northern had already determined to bat. In making the decision to allow Northern to bat, Wellington risked giving them the opportunity to dominate a match which is being played on what appears a docile pitch.
And when Northern reached 46-0 by the 13th over, Wellington might have had some concern that the early initiative in the match had passed to the visitors.
But Wellington then turned the match considerably toward their own advantage when they took three wickets over the next 17 overs and eventually had Northern 63-3 with their top three, James Marshall, Michael Parlane and Mark Bailey, all dismissed.
By lunch Northern were 76-3 with Hamish Marshall 11 not out and Grant Bradburn four not out, striving to restore the balance.
The most impressive aspect of the morning was the manner in which Wellington, needing wickets, pursued a positive policy and got them. Andrew Penn made the first breakthrough, bowling Michael Parlane for 33 with the second to last ball of his seventh over when Northern was 46. Parlane had hit six boundaries and taken his runs from only 42 balls.
Matthew Walker, bowling first change from the northern end, then had Mark Bailey caught by Chris Nevin for three when Northern was 53 and Mark Jefferson, who entered the attack in teh 21st over, had James Marshall caught by Matthew Bell at midwicket for 21.
All of the Wellington bowlers used this morning bowled tidily. Walker had 1-8 from 10 overs - a reward for nagging accuracy - and Jefferson had 1-12 from eight. The openers Penn had 1-23 and Iain O'Brien 0-26.
Parlane and James Marshall gave Northern a strong beginning, taking them to 46 by the 13th over when Andrew Penn finally struck for Wellington, dismissing Parlane for 33.
The confidence of the Northern pair may briefly have shaken Wellington who need only first innings points from this match to win the Trophy and had taken the risk of asking Northern to bat on winning the toss. Northern had already decided they would bat if the toss went in their favour.
Marshall but Parlane in particular managed to squeeze runs through gaps in an attacking Wellington field and scored at more than three runs per over throughout the morning.
Parlane's dismissal, which brought Mark Bailey to the wicket, gave Wellington some confidence and they persisted with an attacking field setting on either side of drinks.
Johnson is seldom able, for any length of time, to watch his team's matches from a static position or to endure in patient silence the many ups and downs of his team's Trophy campaign.
Instead, he roams or rather prowls the boundary, an intense ball of nervous energy. He seeks out conversation and follows the progress of parallel Trophy matches with avid interest and as a distraction from more direct concerns.
Johnson is one of those coaches who finds it hard to release himself from the cares of his position, to behave with trust and resignation, when his team takes the field. Rather, he takes the field with them emotionally. He lives every ball, perhaps more vividly than they do themselves. He first prepares them to play then, vicariously, plays the game with them.
That is his nature and he displays it even in matches of the meanest importance. It doesn't matter that there is nothing hanging on the outcome - Johnson frets through every minute.
Imagine his state of tension, therefore, as Wellington enters its final Trophy match of the season against Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve today poised to win the competition for the first time in 11 years.
Wellington lead the Trophy competition by six points from Northern Districts entering this final match and need only first innings points to carry off the title. Northern must win outright to join them in the Trophy lead.
In the balance, the advantage is Wellington's and their principal objective will be to secure those two first innings points to make their title-bid complete, to leave nothing more to chance.
For that reason, Wellington intended to bowl first on winning the toss today and Northern to bat first - the toss becoming a formality leading to the same outcome. And so Northern have elected to bat and Wellington have the chance to attack with the ball on a pitch which has none of the conspicuous greenness of that used in their last match here against Otago.
Wellington named Mark Gillespie twelfth man, going into the match with spinners Mark Jefferson and Jeetan Patel. Northern left out Andrews.
The weather in Welington this morning is cool and overcast with a vague possibility of rain later this afternoon.
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Date-stamped : 26 Feb2001 - 14:27