Cricket: Dull end to match on a placid pitch

Heinrich Malan

As predicted, Central Districts' first class match against Canterbury in Rangiora petered out into an unspectacular draw, played on a placid day four pitch yesterday.

During the fourth and final day of the Plunket Shield fixture at Mainpower Oval the Stags bowlers and Wizards batsman were uninspiring, appearing to accept their fate of sharing competition points.

CD left the town, just north of Christchurch, with five competition points while league leaders Canterbury picked up four.

The match ended with the Wizards 193/3 from 74 overs in their second innings, at a paltry 2.60 runs per over as discarded Black Caps legspinner Tarun Nethula took two wickets, including former Black Caps batsman Dean Brownlie for the innings' top score of 60.

The Stags new found form, after a disappointing start to the season, is due to the resurgent and responsible batting shown by their top order.

Middle order batsman Greg Hay solidified his spot in the team with a patient and personal best 202 not out on day three, while in the previous match Central Districts stormed to a unlikely victory against Otago in Nelson following Jamie How's second innings 207 not out.

Stags head coach Heinrich Malan was proud of Hay's 412 ball, 527 minute marathon knock and said it required "great patience".

"It was a fantastic knock," Malan said. "Greg [Hay] is one of the few guys in first class cricket at the minute who averages forty plus, he builds and stabilises his innings well.

"For the team to be in a position to push for a win is a real credit to the way he batted."

He said the batsman is slowly but surely starting to "find their feet" and was hopeful the team would use the momentum heading into the Ford Trophy one day competition beginning next month.

The Stags play the Wizards in Napier starting on Sunday.