It's days like today that batsmen like James Marshall dream of.

The Northern Districts batsman became the second player from his side to score a double century this season when hitting 235 runs in their final State Championship match of the summer, against Canterbury at Christchurch's Village Green.

Marshall scored his highest first-class score and beat numerous other records throughout his innings.

His 524 minute innings saw him face 445 deliveries.

He said he was disappointed with the way he got out to the catch that bobbled in Aaron Redmond's arms at short leg, but set the team up with a good lead.

"We want to finish the season on a good note, and have already lost our spinner [Bruce] Martin, through a shoulder injury during practice," he said.

At the start of play Marshall resumed on 88 and Michael Parlane 33, with ND chasing 175 further runs to secure first innings points.

Paul Wiseman began the bowling for Canterbury with Chris Harris, and after finishing play early yesterday due to bad light, Marshall was able to carry through with his century. It was his second for the season, and third in first-class cricket. He then went on to beat his highest first-class score of 122.

Parlane got his 12th first-class 50 shortly after, by smashing a six through mid-wicket off the bowling of Wiseman.

The pair got their 100-run partnership off 208 balls.

ND continued to accumulate their total, scoring at nearly run a minute pace, bringing up 200 in the 79th over.

Parlane ably supported Marshall, until Ryan Burson had Parlane given out lbw for 68, in a delivery that he went forward to and played alongside pad. This was the end of their 165-run partnership.

When Scott Styris came to the crease, there was no mucking around. The pair hit several shots square of the wicket to the rope.

Seven Canterbury bowlers were used, but none of them could answer the Northern Districts batting effort.

By lunchtime, the Knights had increased their total to 299/2, with Marshall on 152 and Styris on 29.

Three balls after lunch the pair established their 50-run partnership, driving the team past the 300 mark.

In the 114th over, two balls after Styris reached his half century with a six, he was stumped by wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins. This gave Redmond his first wicket.

Identical twin brother Hamish Marshall then joined James, making it difficult to distinguish the two.

The Knights surpassed the Canterbury score in the 116th over, securing ND two first innings points.

The small number of spectators at Village Green were then witness to several record-breaking feats.

James Marshall hit his double century off 398 deliveries. This beat the previous highest score against Canterbury of 195 by John Parker in the 1972/73 season.

Soon after, he beat the previous highest ND score of 212, scored by team-mate Styris in the last State Championship round, and then went on to beat Nathan Astle's 222 - the highest first-class score this season.

He said it was a very special moment to achieve his double century with brother Hamish at the crease, who wanted to be there when he broke Styris' record. "I have had a lot of starts this season, but wanted to make this into a big one."

ND brought up 400 runs in the 133rd over.

The bowlers had to work hard to get wickets on the Waikari soil-based pitch, which proved very good for batting.

Wiseman, who had over 100 runs hit off his first 24 overs, finally achieved the breakthrough when Hamish Marshall went down the wicket and was caught by Redmond at mid-on.

After tea, ND lost two wickets, but brought their total to 470 runs.

James Marshall and debutant Mark Orchard had resumed at the crease, but in a rather sedate end to Marshall's innings, he tried to turn a ball towards leg for the single, but found the hands of Redmond under the helmet at short leg. This was Wiseman's third wicket of the innings.

Skipper Robbie Hart then took to the crease to establish a partnership with Orchard. This was not to be however. Orchard padded a full pitch delivery that appeared to be going down leg, but it was umpire Gary Baxter who had the last word, giving him out for four.

The third new ball of the innings was taken in the 160th over, with Canterbury captain Gary Stead opting for fast-medium bowlers Stephen Cunis and Burson.

This proved too much for Hart, who after being dropped on 23 was given out lbw for 31 off the bowling of Burson.

Cunis eventually bowled Joseph Yovich for 12, while Daryl Tuffey was not out 11 and Graeme Aldridge on four when Northern opted to declare four runs short of 500.

They finished with a lead of 158 runs.

Burson had figures of three for 98 off 35. Off-spinner Wiseman also finished with three wickets, with 126 runs hit off his 12 overs.

Canterbury were required to face two overs, off which Robbie Frew made one and Redmond three, before the end of day three.

Play finished at 5.35pm, which was able to continue due to easterly winds gusting away thick cloud cover.

© CricInfo