Cricket: Northern Districts' steamrolling adds to Canterbury's misery

Michael Parlane. Photo / Northern Advocate

Northern Districts glided to a six-wicket win over Canterbury as the clash of the State Championship cricket also-rans wound up in Christchurch yesterday.

Northern registered their first outright points to improve from sixth to fourth on the standings, leaving Canterbury languishing in last place on just two points through six rounds.

There were few dramas on the final day at QEII Park Village Green as Northern knocked off the remaining 142 runs they needed for victory in 35.1 overs, losing three wickets in the process. They finished on 173 for four, captain Michael Parlane hitting the winning single in the fourth over after lunch.

Parlane finished on 28 and Joseph Yovich a rapid 29, the pair making sure they wouldn't succumb lbw which was the fate of their four dismissed teammates.

Hamish Marshall resumed on 21 but he was trapped for 28 while opener Brad Wilson advanced from three to 40 to follow up his first innings century.

Canterbury paid the price for inconsistent batting, scoring just 246 in their first innings to concede a 137-run advantage. They collapsed yesterday to be dismissed for 309 after centuries to Michael Papps and Peter Fulton had them sitting pretty at 267 for two.

Northern teenager Kane Williamson grabbed five wickets with his off-spin on Sunday and contributed 35 with the bat yesterday.

Jamie How's recently rediscovered form with the bat continued in Napier as the Central Districts-Wellington match meandered to a draw.

Wellington, who picked up first innings points after posting 410 to Central's 296, yesterday declared at 299 for five, leaving Central a target of 414 off a minimum of 83 overs at a run rate of 4.99 runs per over.

Central were never likely to risk chasing it as they are second on the standings, five points clear of third-placed Wellington.

An outright loss would have seen Central drop to third with two rounds remaining ahead of the final from April 6-10.

How, who cracked an unbeaten 161 for New Zealand A against their England counterparts earlier this month, backed that up with 101 not out yesterday. His 11th first-class century included 10 fours and two sixes.

Although Central lost the early wicket of Indian test opener Murali Vijay yesterday, trapped lbw by Michael Burns for three, How and Graham Worker buckled down until the declaration came at 174 for one once How reached his hundred.

Worker also finished the day unbeaten, crafting a patient 63 from 180 balls.

Wellington allrounder James Franklin retired on 107, departing to join his New Zealand teammates in Hamilton before the first test against India starting tomorrow.

His place at the crease was taken by Harry Boam, who compiled an unbeaten 49 before the declaration was made, while Dewayne Bowden had reached 27.

* Incorrect information supplied on the New Zealand Cricket website yesterday had Chris Martin taking three wickets for Auckland in their State Championship match against Otago. Lance Shaw was the bowler who grabbed three for 49.

- NZPA