Cricket: Black Caps absent but Cantabs back in the runs

Canterbury continued to flourish without their New Zealand cricket representatives, taking control of the State Championship match against Central Districts on the second day at Christchurch yesterday.

The hosts were 46 for one in their second innings at the halfway point of a closely-fought match at Village Green, giving them a lead of 111 with nine wickets in hand.

It is a welcome return to form for Canterbury, who are bottom on the State Championship table despite having had the services of most of their Black Caps in the opening three rounds. Many of those players are absent for this match, having returned to the international stage.

Unbeaten on 30 is opener Michael Papps, who will look to produce the big score he needs to end a run of poor form.

Earlier Canterbury added only four runs to their overnight first innings score to be dismissed for 346 but some persistent bowling, led by Chris Martin, cut Central's innings short at 281.

Martin took four for 42, his early breakthroughs reducing the visitors to 80 for five before lunch.

Knocks from Bevan Griggs (75) and Ewen Thompson (77) in a 156-run sixth-wicket partnership gave Central a shot at a first innings lead but the final wickets fell cheaply.

Canterbury's first innings of was built around Peter Fulton's 154.

- NZPA