Out of the most unexpected circumstances cricket has the ability to throw up exciting results, and that is the way it is shaping in the bowling dominated State Championship match between Central Districts and Northern Districts in Blenheim.

Thanks to the efforts of the unlikely Michael Mason, who has one of those moments greatly cherished by faster bowlers - a personal best score of 35 not out, Central Districts are in with a chance of setting Northern Districts a highly competitive total, by all the standards of this game.

The batting standards have not been high, woeful might be a better description. The highest score has been 39, by Scott Styris in ND's first innings, and the highest partnership has been 60.

The way Mason and his last wicket partner Lance Hamilton were batting tonight, having added 38 for the last wicket to give CD a lead of 168, they might well find themselves sharing the honour of the best batting in the match.

That would be one in the nose for all the batsmen concerned. They have so far failed to show the application necessary to post big scores.

So many dismissals in the game have been taken behind the wickets that there can be no disputing that the lack of technique in the conditions being experienced has hindered the chances of either side making the match-winning score.

As it stands at the moment, CD's 21-run first innings lead is shaping as crucial.

Earlier today, ND were dismissed for 160, losing their last seven wickets for 41 runs.

That was courtesy of a career-best bowling performance from Andrew Schwass as he took seven for 36, the equal fifth best bowling performance in Central Districts' history.

Coming on as first change during the morning session, he ended the best partnership of the game, of 61 runs, with his seventh ball when having Hamish Marshall caught by Jamie How in the gully for 17.

From that stage it was all downhill for ND. Styris scored the game high 39, but even he, after looking set, fished outside the off stump to be caught behind.

CD started well and had 41 runs before the first wicket fell to ND's bowling performer of the day Graeme Aldridge when he had Richard Scragg caught by wicket-keeper Robbie Hart for 18.

David Kelly survived two huge appeals for catches at the wicket, and survive was the key word as there seemed every chance the ND fieldsmen had reason to be aggrieved. However he was the fourth man out, just before the tea break when a miscued pull shot lobbed to close cover where James Marshall ran in to take the catch and end his innings at 30.

Schwass made sure his day was all the more memorable when scoring 22 as the CD position became desperate. With a previous highest score of four, he didn't take much to be on a winner, but he won plaudits for the way he attempted to right a situation that was as bad as 91/8 at one stage.

Mason certainly took note and has ensured he and his fellow bowlers will at least have the chance to turn the pressure back on ND.

Aldridge had deserved reward with four for 45 from 16 good overs while Ian Butler had another good return of three for 41.

It won't be a match remembered for its scintillating cricket, but there is every chance it will be remembered for its close finish if nothing else.

© CricInfo