Date-stamped : 11 Feb97 - 10:16 30 December 1996 Wellington Wins Thriller In Last Over Batting proves Canty's downfall by Geoff Longley Canterbury's Shell Cup cricketers, who pride themselves on setting high standards, let themselves down with the bat and were beaten -- albeit in a last-over thriller -- by Wellington at Lancaster Park on Saturday. Canterbury's illustrious batting line-up only managed 206 for nine from its 50 overs, a target overtaken by Wellington eight wickets down on the penultimate ball of the match. In recent outings at the ground when Canterbury has batted first, scores in excess of 270 have been commonplace. Invariably, two or more players have piled on runs and big partnerships have been the norm. This time, only opener Nathan Astle produced a substantial innings, 83 in 105 balls with 11 fours, and the highest partnership was a meagre 38. The next highest score was Lee Germon's 26 and he gave two chances before getting that far. Several players will reflect on their shot selection and application and some of the big names of New Zealand cricket sold their wickets cheaply. After a century against Otago Chris Cairns failed this time with a needless improvised chip shot early in his innings, while Stephen Fleming followed a sumptuous straight drive to start his scoring with a miscued attacking stroke in the same over. Add to this Craig McMillan who has been struggling in recent one-day innings; Brad Doody being re-introduced after a three-game absence, Chris Harris being run out for the second time in successive innings, and Canterbury put itself under great pressure. The wicket appeared to be a little slower paced than usual and the Wellington bowlers exploited that well, especially English professional Paul Jarvis, the accomplished Gavin Larsen, and ex-Cantabrian Richard Petrie. That was backed by expert fielding placements from Wellington skipper Roger Twose who handled his attack well. However, had some of the Canterbury top order been more patient, a score of 230 would probably have been a match-winner under the prevailing conditions. Canterbury's bowlers and fielders made a valiant effort to retrieve the game and almost succeeded. However, Wellington had Jason Wells playing solidly at the top of the order and two healthy partnerships were formed with Phil Chandler (58 for the second wicket) and with Petrie (66 for the fourth wicket). Wickets fell regularly after Wells and Petrie were separated at 136 for three in the 37th over and the run rate climbed to seven an over in the latter stages. Wells, making his highest Shell Cup score, almost steered Wellington through but was dismissed leg before with seven balls remaining for 81 and 10 runs still wanted. Nine was needed from the final over and Mark Jefferson and Jarvis took singles from the first two balls and a bye with the third before four leg byes eased the pressure considerably. Jarvis then slashed the second-last ball for four over slips and over the circle of single-saving fielders to clinch the win. The pulsating finish added to the tradition of close Canterbury-Wellington encounters, especially at Lancaster Park. It also added strength to Wellington being Canterbury's bogey team in the Cup competition, Canterbury being ahead of every other side on a win-loss ratio, but trailing Wellington, 10-15. CANTERBURY D Murray c Nevin b Jarvis..............14 N Astle c Twose b Petrie...............83 B Doody c Weenink b Jonas...............7 S Fleming c Jefferson b Petrie..........4 C Cairns c Chandler b Jefferson........14 C McMillan c Nevin b Petrie.............6 C Harris run out.......................13 L Germon c Twose b Jarvis..............26 M Priest c Nevin b Jonas................8 W Wisneski not out......................9 G Allott not out........................2 Extras (lb10, nb4, w6).................20 Total (for 9 wkts)....................206 Fall: 36, 62, 73, 103, 141, 152, 169, 192, 202. Bowling: P Jarvis 10-0-28-2, G Jonas 10-0-53-2 (4nb), R Petrie 10-2-37-3 (5w), G Larsen 10-1-27-0, M Jefferson 10-0-51-1 (1w). WELLINGTON P Chandler run out.....................36 S Weenink run out.......................0 J Wells lbw b Astle....................81 R Twose c Harris b Astle................2 R Petrie c Harris b Cairns.............36 R Kerr c Priest b Cairns................1 G Larsen c Fleming b Harris.............8 C Nevin c Astle b Cairns...............10 P Jarvis not out........................7 M Jefferson not out.....................2 Extras (b2, lb12, nb10, w2)............24 Total (for 8 wkts, 49.5 overs)........209 Fall: 7, 65, 70, 136, 140, 156, 188, 197. Bowling: W Wisneski 6-0-27-0 (4nb), G Allott 7-0-22-0 (2nb 2w), C Cairns 9.5-0-39-3 (2nb), N Astle 9-1-35-2 (2nb), M Priest 8-0-37-0, C Harris 10-0-35-1. Umpires: P Williams, D Quested. Result: Wellington won by two wickets. Man of the match: Jason Wells (Wellington). Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)