Cricket: How makes it three centuries in a row

Otago’s Gareth Hopkins pulls out of the line of the ball during his innings of 86 against Wellington at the Basin Reserve. Picture / Fotopress

A rollicking opening stand by Mathew Sinclair and Jamie How put Central Districts in the driving seat after day one of their match in Napier yesterday.

At stumps, Central Districts were 433 for eight, with Sinclair and How each posting centuries after smashing the Northern Districts bowlers.

They put together a partnership of 215 in just 166 minutes as How scored his third first-class century in successive innings.

He hit 121 in stylish fashion to become the 11th player to manage the feat on New Zealand soil.

The Palmerston North opener last week scored 105 and 108 not out against Otago in Queenstown, and followed that up yesterday by reaching three figures before lunch.

How, 23, joined the likes of New Zealand great Martin Crowe, Australian captain Ian Chappell, Englishman Matthew Maynard, Zimbabwean Graeme Hick, New Zealand legend Bert Sutcliffe, who achieved the feat twice, and New South Welshman Charlie Macartney, the first to do the deed in the 1923-24 season.

While delighted to be among such a celebrated cast, How was still cross with himself for a soft dismissal after the luncheon break, when he chipped a full toss from spinner Matt Hart to Ian Butler at mid-off.

It was a tame end to an innings that occupied just 125 balls and 166 minutes, and contained 23 fours and two sixes.

"It was a shame I didn't stick around longer. I feel as if I left a few runs out there. That's always disappointing," How said.

"It's a good deck here; you don't always get these good decks, especially early in the season. While it's good to get a hundred it's a shame I did not kick on for bigger and better things.

"The great players like Crowe strived on getting big hundreds, they were never satisfied. That's the right attitude; when it's your day you have to make the most of it."

It is a commendable attitude, and one the national selectors will be happy to hear as they consider the candidates to replace retired opener Mark Richardson.

How's early-season form has catapulted him firmly into contention, although the player himself wants little to do with such conjecture.

Sinclair made 104 against an attack boasting internationals Ian Butler and Scott Styris.

Daryl Tuffey also bowled as he continued his return from injury.

They were often guilty of offering inconsistent line and length that How and Sinclair deposited gleefully.

Northern Districts skipper James Marshall must have rued his decision to put Central into bat after winning the toss on a "flat deck", although Sinclair and How felt the pitch offered bowlers fair game provided they followed a disciplined line. Central Districts coach Graham Barlow praised McLean Park groundsman Phil Stoyanoff for his preparation of the strip.

"It is a brilliant pitch. Northern Districts tried to take a punt with the new ball but it didn't work. When there was anything short or wide, Jamie and Mathew made them look ordinary," Barlow said.

"We're trying to set ourselves to bat to 500 minimum tomorrow."

Matthew Hart made the initial breakthrough with the crucial three wickets of Sinclair, How and Peter Ingram, while Tuffey matched Hart with the new ball, removing Jarrod Englefield, Ross Taylor and Bevan Griggs.

Graeme Aldridge got the scalps of Central skipper Glen Sulzberger and Ewen Thompson.

- NZPA