Cricket: ND have chance to make a game of it

By TERRY MADDAFORD and NZPA

A return to something closer to their better batting form has given Northern Districts some hope of saving their game with Canterbury.

But they will need a lot more of the same.

Spearheaded by an unbeaten 98 from Scott Styris - two short of a second century at this level - and 48 from Hamish Marshall, Northern reached 257 for four at stumps last night.

They return to Gisborne's Harry Barker Reserve this morning still needing 29 to make the visitors bat for a second time in the State Championship match.

But considering the new-found resolve shown by the Northern top order, Canterbury could have to wait a little longer than they might have expected before booking an early flight home.

Unlike their first innings, which ended inside 13 overs yesterday morning - with No 10 Bruce Martin the main contributor with 34 in a paltry total of 158 - Northern's second effort offered some resistance.

Again, though, there was, apart from Styris, the feeling that they could have done better.

Despite the inconvenience of having to bat with runners, openers James Marshall and Matthew Hart put on 50 for the first wicket. They both got beyond 30, but neither went on to a much-needed large total.

Mark Bailey, who threatens a return to his majestic best, also got a start but was comfortably caught by Chris Harris at square leg off Chris Martin for 21.

It was not easy with Shane Bond and Martin delivering at real pace.

But Hamish Marshall and Styris did steady the ship, adding 129 for the fourth wicket before Marshall, two short of what would have been a deserved half-century, was bowled by Aaron Redmond in his attempt to sweep.

So Styris (217 minutes) and Grant Bradburn, already 61 minutes for four, must continue.

Victory would be the longest of long shots, but they could play a major role in denying the visitors maximum points.

* At the Basin Reserve in Wellington, Central Districts were 260 for seven in reply to Wellington's 326 for eight declared.

Central notched up just 253 in a slow day's play. Glen Sulzberger top-scored with 56.

There were times when a first-innings result in favour of Central looked highly unlikely - especially when they were 152-5 and 203-6.

But Richard Scragg (55) and Bevan Griggs (50) added valuable runs, which took the visitors to within 66 of Wellington's total.

It seems likely that Central will bat on today towards first innings points.

Wellington scored their runs at 2.67 an over, and Central at 2.52.