da roleta： In a game that included more shocking collapses than the Kobe earthquake,and more fighting comebacks than George Foreman, Canterbury came away withfirst innings points
Steve Deane16-Dec-2000In a game that included more shocking collapses than the Kobe earthquake,and more fighting comebacks than George Foreman, Canterbury came away withfirst innings points.Beginning the day on 22/3, Canterbury looked to be in for a tough fight toforce a draw. But Chris Harris batted like a millionaire throughout thefirst hour, hitting seven fours as he guided Canterbury out of the custard.The former Mr New Zealand candidate was severe on a slightly wayward NDattack, hooking and pulling the quick bowlers and lofting the spinners downthe ground.Night-watchman Carl Anderson proved a useful foil and looked competent as heheld up an end through to the lunch break. With Northern unable to breakthrough in the morning session, and Canterbury increasing its lead to 130,any prospect of an outright result had gone by lunch.Interest in the middle session centred on whether Harris could bat on andrecord the first century of the match. But he appeared disinterested,turning three’s into two’s with some ambivalent running between the wickets.It came as no surprise when he was run-out for 79 attempting a silly single.However, the fourth wicket partnership of 122 had ensured the match wouldend as a draw and likely be called off early.For the second match in succession Canterbury had to settle for firstinnings points, despite scoring over 300 in its first innings. The perennialShell Cup champion hasn’t managed a trophy victory since beating Northern inMarch 1999 – a winless streak now extended to eight matches.By contrast ND came to Rangiora in search of a record eighth consecutivewin. But while the young Canterbury side has not yet found a winningformula, it is growing in experience and is no longer an easybeat.Both Auckland and ND have come to Canterbury and toiled for four days onflat tracks without reward. An exceptional bowling effort is required todismiss sides twice on the benign pitches in this part of the country.For Canterbury, Stephen Cunis made the most of his late inclusion to capturehis maiden first-class five-wicket bag.Matthew Hart’s gritty, undefeated 72 was the standout ND performance, takingthe defending champions from the brink of disaster to within 15 runs offirst innings points.Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey and James Marshal were at the ground today andlook set to come into the ND side for tomorrow’s round three Shell Cupone-day match.