Cricket: Parlane in line to head ND batting

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Michael Parlane - "Bear" to his Northern Districts team-mates - is back, but whether he goes all the way to the top of the batting order will not be decided until closer to the toss for today's one-day semifinal against Canterbury.

Overlooked for the first eight rounds of the State Shield - and he admits he did that hard - Parlane returned to bat at No 3 for the round nine win over Auckland, making 26 at a vital stage.

His 64 against Canterbury in Timaru last Friday was decisive in Northern's 57-run win which assured them of today's semifinal under lights at WestpacTrust Park.

Parlane and James Marshall added 109 for the second wicket, prompting suggestions the pair might be asked to open today, allowing Simon Doull to take a "floater" role lower in the order.

"We will wait until we have had a look at the wicket," Northern coach Bruce Blair said yesterday. "Simon Doull may or may not continue as an opener."

Though the batting - on what again promises to be an excellent one-day pitch - holds the key in the battle to find the team who will play Wellington in Saturday's final at the Basin Reserve, Northern can also look to some good work from their bowlers who have enjoyed a good season.

Matthew Hart, 12 wickets at an average of 11, is third on the bowling averages after the round-robin. He is joined in the top 10 by team-mates Graeme Aldridge (nine at 16.44) and Joseph Yovich (18 at 16.72). Only Wellington's Paul Hitchcock, with 21, has taken more wickets than Yovich.

Canterbury have only Stephen Cunis (12 at 15.83) in the top 10.

Parlane, with 90 runs at 45, leads the Northern batting, with Hamish Marshall, 282 at 35.25, and James Marshall, 313 at 34.77, also high on the averages.

Canterbury captain Gary Stead leads his team's batting with 302 at 43.14.

Like most, Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe dismisses the early-season clash between the two sides as a non-event.

Batting first in tricky conditions at Whangarei's Cobham Oval, Canterbury managed only 118 in 43.2 overs, with only Shannon Stewart (27) and Darren Reekers (25) getting beyond 15. Yovich led the Northern charge with three for 17.

In reply, Northern struggled to 121 for eight with Doull's 55 at the top of the innings the winning difference. Cunis picked up four for 37.

The Northern side will not be known until after this afternoon's warm-ups, during which Blair and captain Robbie Hart will make their decision on whether Ian Butler will again carry the drinks.

"Given the conditions, we have to think in terms of it being a 250-run wicket," Blair said. "We are looking forward to it. We have continued to focus on ourselves.

"Hopefully, we are building towards another good performance which will lead to a place in the final."

Canterbury were dealt a blow yesterday with opening bowler Warren Wisneski sidelined with a groin strain.

Sharpe admitted his team would enter the match as definite underdogs, but was conceding nothing.

The match starts at 2.30 pm.

Northern Districts (from): Robbie Hart (capt), James Marshall, Simon Doull, Michael Parlane, Matthew Hart, Hamish Marshall, Grant Bradburn, Jaden Hatwell, Joseph Yovich, Daryl Tuffey, Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler.

Canterbury (from): Shannon Stewart, Peter Fulton, Paul Wiseman, Gary Stead (captain), Aaron Redmond, Gareth Hopkins, Clayton Cornelius, Darren Reekers, Carl Anderson, Stephen Cunis, Ryan Burson, Chris Martin.