Cricket: Sinclair's milestone edges CD near goal

Domestic run-machine Mathew Sinclair ticked off another career milestone as Central Districts sneaked first innings points during a tense penultimate day of their Plunket Shield cricket match against Auckland in Napier yesterday.

Sinclair's 28th first class century also included his 11,000th first class run - but his sterling service was in danger of counting for nought at Nelson Park when he exited five runs shy of Auckland's first innings of 403.

The former test batsman was eighth out for an assured 165 and when tailender Michael Mason also succumbed to legspinner Tarun Nethula two runs later an Auckland side blunted by Sinclair's broad bat were suddenly invigorated.

For all Sinclair's durability since he took guard at 62 for two yesterday the kudos should be shared with 22-year-old medium pacer Kieran Noema-Barnett who scored an invaluable career-best unbeaten 32 at No 10.

He was on hand to finish the job with Jeremy Kupu, who blazed a quick 15 once the hurdle was cleared.

Central Districts declared on 418 with the last pair at the crease; at the close Auckland were 14 without loss, a deficit of one.

Tim McIntosh, who made five in the first innings, was on five again and needing a substantial knock ahead of the first test against Pakistan in Dunedin from November 24.

Sinclair's sporadic test career seems finally at an end but the right-hander - and owner of two test double tons - continues to rack up quality scores in the domestic arena.

Resuming on 10 and with Central Districts still facing a 319-run deficit, Sinclair took on the quest almost singlehandedly although Brad Patton (58) helped add 121 for the fourth wicket, just the start the home side required.

Sinclair, playing his 149th first class match, brought up his 50 from 96 balls, three figures were reached 80 balls later. His hundred featured 16 boundaries and when he reached the tea interval on 136, he was two short of the 11,000 barrier.

Sinclair was obviously the dominant force, dwarfing his teammate's contributions as he looked capable of guiding Central Districts past their target.

However, Nethula flummoxed him into offering a return catch and when Mason was trapped leg before wicket Auckland was on the verge of an improbable fight back.

Sinclair ultimately faced 290 deliveries, 25 of which were stroked to the ropes as he spent more than seven hours holding up an end.

In Dunedin, Northern Districts strolled to an emphatic 10-wicket victory as a second lone hand by Otago captain Craig Cumming failed to delay the inevitable.

Cumming's 42 was the highlight of Otago's dismal innings on the opening day yesterday - and despite the former New Zealand opener's defiant 126 in Otago's second dig, Northern Districts collected maximum points with more than a day to spare at University Oval.

Northern Districts knocked off the 13 required for outright victory - and eight competition points - shortly after tea on the third day after ending Otago's second innings on 334.

In Wellington, Canterbury are halfway to matching their entire points haul in last season's four-day cricket championship after nudging ahead of Wellington.

A distant last in 2008-09, Canterbury nervously banked two first innings points after a resolute rearguard action saw Wellington's 214 overhauled despite a five-wicket bag by test seamer Iain O'Brien.

Canterbury's return may not end there after Wellington ended yesterday on 201 for seven, an overall lead of 193.

A swift end to Wellington's second innings tomorrow raises the prospect of an achievable run chase.

A fluctuating contest swung in Canterbury's favour despite them entering the penultimate day at a precarious 139 for six - and when captain Kruger van Wyk trudged off two runs into the morning the visitors were running short of dependable batsmen.

However, Andy Ellis and Brandon Hiini combined for a vital 69-run stand for the eighth wicket, carrying Canterbury to 210 and within sight of their goal.

- NZPA