Victories do not roll off the conveyor belt as they once did but Canterbury's cricket factory continues to produce the goods.
One of the province's latest products, Brandan Hiini, underlined his considerable promise with a fine century on the third day of the State Championship match against CentralDistricts at QEII Park in Christchurch yesterday.
Hiini contributed an unbeaten 103 to his team's imposing first innings of 500 for five declared, just reward for 234 minutes of concentrated effort as he struck 14 boundaries.
Having scored 264 in their first innings, Central Districts began the process of at least making Canterbury bat again in positive fashion by reaching 148 for one by stumps.
Opener Geoff Barnett was run out for 32, leaving Peter Ingram, following his first-innings century, to take guard tomorrow on 76, alongside Bevan Griggs on 37.
Hiini, 25, resumed this morning on six with his side already strongly positioned at 304 for four.
He enjoyed a profitable stand with Shanan Stewart which yielded 159 runs before Stewart was undone for 76 after just over three hours at the crease.
Captain Chris Harris delayed his declaration to enable allrounder Hiini to post his second century in just his seventh first-class match.
It was the third century of the innings after former internationals Michael Papps made 121 and Craig McMillan 117 yesterday.
The Otago-Wellington match was hit when rain kept the players from the field for the entire third day of the State Championship game in Dunedin. That means Wellington are set to restart their second innings on the final day today at University Oval on 201 for one in their second innings, holding an overall lead of two runs. Matthew Bell will resume on 103, with Michael Parlane on 85.
