Cricket: Tailenders hold up Canterbury

A final-wicket stand of 49 between Wellington's Sam Fairley and Iain O'Brien, who made their highest first-class scores, could prove critical in their match against Canterbury in Christchurch.

The pair lifted Wellington from 335 for nine to 384 on day two of the four-day match yesterday.

Canterbury made a stuttering start to their reply, losing both openers cheaply before Peter Fulton and Shanan Stewart carried the side to 71 for two from 25 overs at stumps.

Canterbury made regular inroads into the Wellington batting after the visitors resumed at 184 for two.

That position of strength was eroded by the persistent Canterbury bowling attack led by test players Chris Martin and Paul Wiseman, who took seven wickets between them - Martin ending with four for 63.

Wiseman had an early breakthrough when Neal Parlane chased a wide ball and was removed by an outstanding first career catch for wicketkeeper Tim Papps.

Hayden Shaw's perseverance was rewarded when Jesse Ryder walked across his leg stump just enough for it to be exposed.

Luke Woodcock, who had anchored the innings for 223 minutes and 180 balls for 64, finally fell to Martin with the second new ball, and Canterbury had claimed three wickets in the pre-lunch session.

Had Fairley been held by Fulton high at third slip on two off Shaw it would have made for a memorable morning.

Chris Nevin scored freely before medium-pacer Stephen Cunis trapped him leg-before for 41 in an unbroken 13-over spell of two for 21, including seven maidens.

The lower order was gradually prised out until the dogged Fairley found O'Brien a willing ally and they added 49 in 48 minutes.

O'Brien eclipsed his previous best, an unbeaten 18, by reaching 28, including four boundaries, and Fairley finished unbeaten on 47 in a crucial 220 minutes and 152 balls of watchful resistance.

It was a timely reminder from Fairley, looking to resurrect his first-class career after last appearing for Wellington in 2001-02 and playing just two matches for a top score of 29.

Wellington maintained their momentum through medium-pacer Ash Turner, who twice secured favourable leg-before decisions from Evan Watkin against Tim McIntosh and Michael Papps in his first and sixth overs, to leave Canterbury 32 for two.

For McIntosh, it was an unpleasant debut for Canterbury, having shifted south from Auckland.

But captain Fulton looked assured, making an unbeaten 40 from 62 balls with six fours to prevent any further inroads.

- NZPA