Marshall trumps brother on way to record ND total

James Marshall trumped his brother to guide Northern Districts into cricket's record books against Canterbury yesterday.
Marshall scored 178 not out as the Plunket Shield leaders piled on 726 in their first innings on the fourth and final day at Rangiora, ensuring the match petered out to a tame draw by tea as Canterbury reached  85 for one in their second innings after making 554 for four declared in the first innings.
It was a record team score for Northern Districts and only the third instance of a team posting  more than 700 in New Zealand first-class history.
The statisticians were thumbing their way through research material as soon as Northern Districts resumed  yesterday morning at 509 for five, with James Marshall well set on 71 and eyeing the 170 scored yesterday by his twin Hamish.
The Northern Districts captain duly passed his sibling's effort thanks to sterling support from the lower order as Canterbury were kept in the field until well after lunch.
Marshall's 11th first-class century saw him occupy the crease for 324 minutes, hitting 17 fours and one six, and he put on 63 for the 10th wicket with tailender Brent Arnel, who  made 32. 
None of the Canterbury bowlers were spared, with young spinner Jason Donnelly, in particular, being asked to get through a power of work.
The 22-year-old left-armer, in just his third first-class match, wheeled down 69 overs to return figures of four for 257, the most conceded in a first-class match in this country.
The previous most was the 229 given up by another left-arm spinner, Stephen Boock, for New Zealand against Pakistan, at Auckland in the 1988/89 season.
The two first-innings points secured by competition leaders Northern Districts extended their advantage atop the standings to eight points, with Canterbury remaining in second place.
Auckland barely raised a sweat in cantering to a 10-wicket Plunket Shield cricket defeat of Wellington in Auckland  yesterday.
Needing 120 runs to claim their first outright win of the season, Auckland openers Tim McIntosh and Jeet Raval achieved their goal at nearly a run a ball throughout a trouble-free morning at Colin Maiden Park.
Both reached unbeaten half-centuries to achieve notable match doubles as Auckland cruised to 122 without loss inside 22 overs.
The unbeaten 51 by New Zealand test opener McIntosh followed his first-innings knock of 171, while Patel's 61 not out  yesterday came in the wake of 96 in Auckland's 480 for three declared.
Victory was set up  on Saturday when Wellington's second innings collapsed for 122.
Auckland legspinner Tarun Nethula was the chief destroyer, taking four for 17.
Auckland  pick up their first points of the competition but remain in last place with two rounds remaining, while Wellington are second-last.
Rain had the final say when play was abandoned on the final day of the Plunket Shield cricket match between Otago and Central Districts at Invercargill yesterday.
A heavy downpour meant no play was possible, leaving Central Districts with the first-innings points.  The game  had been evenly poised, with the visitors 95 for five in their second innings, holding a lead of 120 entering the last day. NZPA