Cricket: Big stand creates history

The huge partnership between Northern Districts batsmen Mark Orchard and Joseph Yovich took on historic proportions in the State Championship cricket match in Napier today.

The pair put on a New Zealand record of 322 runs for the sixth wicket in a first-class match as they continued to defy Central Districts on the second day of the game at McLean Park.

Having come together with their team precariously placed on 38 for five yesterday morning, Orchard and Yovich saw Northern Districts through to 360 before they were parted.

The stand was finally broken when Yovich was induced to offered a return catch to part-time spinner Jamie How.

Yovich made 144 after 405 minutes at the crease, including 17 boundaries.

Orchard was still batting on 154 as Northern Districts pressed on in their first innings after resuming this morning on 277 for five.

The previous best sixth-wicket partnership of 293 was scored last summer by Canterbury's Peter Fulton and Neil Broom against Otago.

- NZPA