Date-stamped : 10 Feb97 - 10:17 *** Preview *** 20 January 1997 Muir's Withdrawal Blow For Canty Canterbury cricket officials were last night searching for a late replacement for in-form all-rounder Glenn Muir who has been ruled out of the Shell Trophy match against Central Districts beginning in Rangiora today through work commitments. Muir, who played a significant role in the latter stages of Canterbury's Shell Cup run, has been denied leave by his employer for the four-day match at Dudley Park. Canterbury coach Denis Aberhart said in transit from yesterday's Max Cup loss to Central in Ashburton, that the fitness of fast-medium bowler Michael Sharpe would determine whether they need to look further afield. Sharpe has been troubled by a thigh strain since the Shell Cup game against Auckland on January 5 and the selectors were keen to rest him until the fourth-round match Wellington, beginning next Monday. "If 'Razor' (Sharpe) is not fit then we have a couple of options to consider," Aberhart said. The loss of Muir is a significant blow for Canterbury. After two modest returns in his opening first-class games last summer the Marist all-rounder has developed into a player of considerable promise. Aberhart would not be drawn on possible replacements should Sharpe not be fit. One possible option would be Mark Hastings who is bowling again after a back injury. Others in contention could be Scott Pawson, Wayne Stead, Darron Reekers, or veteran Chris Flanagan, who has been in superb club form. Despite the loss of Muir, Canterbury is still full of experienced players for the top-of-the-table clash with Central. Aberhart's main concern is getting his players into four-day mode. "The key is for the batsmen to bat sessions and occupy the crease. With the bowling we want to bowl the right line and generally play sensible four-day cricket." Left-arm fast-medium bowler Geoff Allott will spearhead the attack. He would only need to maintain his form in the next two Trophy matches to stake a serious claim for the third test against England at Lancaster Park. "Geoff has bowled very well since Christmas. Both he and Warren Wisneski are potential match-winners." The teams are: Canterbury: Darrin Murray (captain), Craig Cumming, Brad Doody, Chris Harris, Craig McMillan, Gary Stead, Mark Priest, Mark Lane, Warren Wisneski, Geoff Allott, Shane Bond, one to be added. Central Districts: Mark Greatbatch (capt), Craig Spearman, Glen Sulzberger, Llorne Howell, Matthew Sinclair, Matthew Walker, Greg Loveridge, Andrew Penn, Campbell Furlong, Craig Findlay, Dave Lamason, Eric Austin, Carl Bulfin. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) *** Day 1 *** 21 January 1997 Greatbatch Equals Central Districts Record by Jonathan Millmow Central Districts captain Mark Greatbatch equalled Martin Crowe's century-making record for the province on an absorbing opening day of the Shell Trophy cricket match against Canterbury at Dudley Park in Rangiora yesterday. Greatbatch matched Crowe's mark of 13 centuries for Central when he fended a brutish delivery from left-arm fast bowler Geoff Allott backward of square after four hours of batting. Greatbatch finished the day unbeaten on 131 as Central posted a competitive 319 for eight wickets on a wicket already producing generous turn. Central was in danger of being bowled out cheaply when Llorne Howell was the fourth batsman out with his score on 49 and the team at 109. Campbell Furlong, Greg Loveridge, Andrew Penn, and David Lamason all shared in crucial partnerships with the gutsy left hander. Greatbatch's 209-ball century, which contained 11 fours and one six, was a mixed affair. Initially, he was intent on defence, with his only runs coming from well-timed pushes down the ground. As his judgment improved, the blistering cover drives and magnificently timed shots through the mid-wicket and square-leg area were unearthed. Greatbatch said being on the verge of Crowe's provincial record had helped him overcome the disappointment of missing a place in the New Zealand team for the first test against England. "I was very disappointed with myself in the Shell Cup. I found some form toward the end of the cup, but it came too late," he said. "But I still want to play for New Zealand and playing for Central and having targets helps you overcome things like that. "I'm not big on records, but I knew about this one." Greatbatch's century continued his remarkable run-scoring spree for Central. He scored 126 not out in his last innings for Central, against Otago in Napier last season. Yesterday's 100 was his fifth in seven games for the province. Canterbury's cause was not helped by four dropped catches. Left-arm spinner Mark Priest was at fault on two occasions, once off his own bowling, and the other when Loveridge edged Warren Wisneski to him in the gully. Canterbury started promisingly when Wisneski induced a false shot from Glen Sulzberger in just the fourth over of the morning. With the score on 19, Brad Doody at short leg caught Craig Spearman off Allott's bowling. Howell dragged the innings around with a bullish 49, including a brutal assault on debutant Shane Bond. Howell hit Bond's first two deliveries for four and his fourth sailed over the square-leg boundary for six. To Bond's credit, he returned to have Matthew Sinclair caught behind and later had Lamason trapped in front. CENTRAL DISTRICTS First innings G Sulzberger c Lane b Wisneski..........2 C Spearman c Doody b Allott.............6 M Sinclair c Murray b Bond.............14 L Howell lbw Allott....................49 M Greatbatch not out..................131 C Furlong c McMillan b Pries...........33 G Loveridge c Harris b Priest..........28 A Penn b Wisneski.......................5 D Lamason lbw Bond......................3 E Austin not out........................6 Extras (14b, 18lb, 10nb)...............42 Total (for 8wkts).....................319 Fall: 1-9, 2-19, 3-58, 4-109, 5-178, 6-224, 7-271, 8-303. Bowling: G Allott 20-7-52-2 (2nb), W Wisneski 23-7-58-2 (3nb), S Bond 15-5-42-2, M Priest 33-9-92-2, C Harris 21-7-43-0. Umpires: P Williams, B Bowden. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) *** Day 2 *** 22 January 1997 Harris Returns With Century by Jonathan Millmow Chris Harris marked his return to the Canterbury Shell Trophy side with a patient unbeaten century on the second day of the four-day cricket match against Central Districts at Dudley Park in Rangiora yesterday. Because of international commitments Harris has managed only a handful of first-class appearances for Canterbury in the past three seasons. However, he celebrated his return with 115 not out as Canterbury ground out 280 for five wickets in reply to Central's first innings total of 347. Harris and Mark Priest (51 not out) took control in the last session as a weakened Central attack tired in temperatures of30deg Celsius and over. Central was disadvantaged with strike bowler Carl Bulfin sidelined for the day because of food poisoning. His absence placed a heavy workload on fellow pace bowlers Andrew Penn and David Lamason, which understandably took its toll in the final session. Harris and Priest added 87 runs for the sixth wicket with the former reaching his fifth first class century after 272 minutes of batting. Harris was content to wait for the loose ball which fortunately for him was often when the Central spinners were in operation. When Penn was employed it was a different story. He bowled beautifully in his first two spells and was rewarded with the wickets of Brad Doody and Darrin Murray. Harris slowed as he neared his third Trophy century and took 62 balls to move from 87 through to his hundred. "I was quite happy to bat time and wait for the loose ball," Harris said. "I haven't played a lot of first-class matches in recent times and today was a good chance for me to spend time at the crease." Harris said he would now set his sights on gaining first-innings points and surpassing his previous highest first class score. His best is 140 against Central in Christchurch during the 1993-94 season. Harris wants to score heavily during his time back in the Canterbury Trophy side. "My aim is to score three first-class hundreds this season," he said. Canterbury's reply did not start well. Craig Cumming was caught at slip off Lamason for 10 and Doody went with the score on 18. Murray's 165min stay for 41 ended when he was adjudged caught behind by wicketkeeper Eric Austin off Penn. Craig McMillan spanked his first ball through mid off for four and his next over long on for six. He breezed through to 20 before swinging a long hop from Loveridge to Matthew Walker. Gary Stead played equally attractively for 20, before being trapped in front by Glen Sulzberger. Earlier, Central had added 28 runs for the final two wickets with captain Mark Greatbatch finally out for 141. He mis-judged the length of Priest's first ball of the morning and was bowled. Priest also snapped up Bulfin in the deep to claim his fourth wicket. CENTRAL First innings (overnight 319-8) M Greatbatch b Priest...................141 E Austin not out.........................22 C Bulfin c Stead b Priest.................0 Extras (18kb, 14b, 12nb).................44 Total...................................347 Fall: 9, 19, 58, 109, 178, 224, 271, 303, 343, 347. Bowling: G Allott 25-7-65-2 (4nb), W Wisneski 26-8-73-2 (8nb), S Bond 15-5-42-2, M Priest 34.5-10-92-4, C Harris 21-7-43-0. CANTERBURY First innings C Cumming c Greatbatch b Lamason.........10 D Murray c Austin b Penn.................41 B Doody lbw Penn..........................1 C Harris not out........................115 C McMillan c sub Walker b Loveridge......20 G Stead lbw b Sulzberger.................20 M Priest not out.........................51 Extras (4b, 4lb, 14nb)...................22 Total (for 5wkts).......................280 Fall: 17, 28, 99, 150, 193. Bowling: A Penn 23-9-53-2, D Lamason 18-3-55-1, L Howell 4-2-14-0, G Loveridge 20-2-63-1, C Furlong 26-7-70-0, G Sulzberger 8-3-17-1. Umpires: P Williams, B Bowden. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) *** Day 3 *** 23 January 1997 Harris Surpasses All Targets by Tim Dunbar Chris Harris kept his natural stroke-play in admirable check as he scored an individual Canterbury first-class record of 251 not out in the Shell Trophy cricket match against Central Districts at Dudley Park, Rangiora, yesterday. Harris's marathon innings lasting close on 11hr helped Canterbury to a score of 543 for eight declared, 196 runs ahead of Central's first innings total. Central was left with 24 overs to bat out, and the Canterbury bowlers snared three wickets to lift their hopes of taking outright points today. Left-arm spinner Mark Priest did enough in his six overs before stumps to suggest he might be a key figure on the final day. It was a monumental effort of concentration and character by Harris who saw out 547 balls in his 647min innings. His score included 29 boundaries. "For me it was a very patient knock," he admitted. "I didn't really look to hit the ball in the air at all." Early in the day he had the odd problem timing the ball, but never looked like getting out. Back-foot shots crunched through the off-side marked Harris's progress through to becoming Canterbury's sixth double-century maker. A lovely drive for four from off-spinner Campbell Furlong was possibly the high point, though. Harris had to bat through blistering heat and strong gusting nor-west winds in the morning, and a contrasting south-westerly in the afternoon. On 115 overnight, he spent the day "just batting for time" in his words. He began with targets of first innings points for Canterbury and beating his personal best of 140. Personal targets kept on coming -- 150, 200, Rod Latham's provincial record of 237 not out against ND six seasons ago, and finally 250 -- as well as trying to get Canterbury 200 in front. "It was one of those days when you reach all your targets," Harris summed up neatly. With a no-risk policy for the good balls, the all-rounder concentrated on taking toll of short or over-pitched deliveries from the Central spinners who did most of the bowling in the afternoon. Even when past 200, he collected 11 consecutive singles. While the other overnight batsman, Priest, went quickly, Harris had tremendous back-up from his subsequent partners. Canterbury wicket-keeper Mark Lane (62) lasted nearly 4hr, while adding 169 for the seventh wicket with Harris. Warren Wisneski (40) was there for 67min while another 72 were put on. Wisneski was finally run out at the batting end going for a third run, on the leg-side deflection which took Harris past Latham's magic mark. Canterbury's tally was the third-best in the province's history and only 16 short of the record of 559 set against the same team three years ago. When Central batted, Craig Spearman was in dashing form. His unbeaten half-century included eight fours and a six. Both Glen Sulzberger and Matthew Sinclair fell to catches behind the wicket, and Llorne Howell played over a ball from Priest. CENTRAL DISTRICTS First innings 347 Second innings C Spearman not out......................51 G Sulzberger c Labe b Allott.............1 M Sinclair c Lane b Wisneski.............4 L Howell b Priest.......................21 A Penn not out...........................0 Extras (2nb, 1lb)........................3 Total (for 3wkts).......................80 Fall: 29, 36, 74. Bowling: G Allott 6-1-25-1, W Wisneski 6-2-24-1 (1nb), S Bond 5-0-23-0, M Priest 6-2-7-1, C Harris 1-1-0-0. CANTERBURY First innings (overnight 280-5) C Z Harris not out.....................251 M Priest c Sinclair b Lamason...........56 M Lane std Austin b Furlong.............61 W Wisneski run out......................40 S Bond not out...........................3 Extras (12b, 10lb, 14nb, 4w)............40 Total (for 8wkts)......................543 Fall: 17, 28, 99, 150, 193, 286, 455, 527. Bowling: A Penn 39-16-89-2 (5nb), D Lamason 25.1-6-62-2 (1w), L Howell 10-2-42-0 (2w), G Loveridge 34.5 3 120-1, C Furlong 52-9-150-1 (2nb 1w), G Sulzberger 23-5-58-1. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) *** Day 4 *** 24 January 1997 Canty Wallops Central Districts By Innings Greatbatch run-out 'turning point' by Jonathan Millmow Canterbury left-arm off-spinner Mark Priest was surprised at the ease of his side's innings and 11-run victory over Central Districts in the Shell Trophy cricket match at Dudley Park, Rangiora, yesterday. Priest completed a fine all-round game with five for 57 off 28 overs as Central capitulated amid a sea of poor shots and Gary Stead's superb run out of Mark Greatbatch. Central opening batsman Craig Spearman provided his side with a glimmer of hope as it tried to overcome a first innings deficit of 196. However, his gem of a knock ended when he was skilfully caught by Chris Harris at first slip. Spearman raced through to 96 off 112 balls before attempting to glide a ball from Priest past slip. Greatbatch played an equally entertaining innings before attempting an unnecessary single and Stead's direct throw from cover left him a metre short of his ground. Priest said while turn existed, it was not sharp enough to get too excited. "I thought I might be able to chip a few out but they certainly came quicker than I envisaged," he said. "We had a few runs to play with but in the end they didn't play that sensibly." Priest's nine-wicket haul for the match and half century with the bat in the first innings continues to go unnoticed by the national selectors. "I just potter along and every time I get five or six wickets I prove the selectors wrong," Priest said. "With the sides they've named recently I don't appear to rate in the top five or six." Central's middle order was unable to repeat its batting effort from the first innings. Nightwatchman Andrew Penn, David Lamason, and Eric Austin all fell to Priest. Geoff Allott wrapped up the match five minutes before lunch when he trapped last man Carl Bulfin leg before with the team's score at 185. Canterbury coach Denis Aberhart felt the run out of Greatbatch was the turning point. "I think they were going to try and bat around 'Paddy'. 'Steady's' throw was a superb piece of individual skill. "I'm happy with the way we've played. We starting playing some good cricket after tea on the second day. We put on 350 for our last three wickets and generally the guys bowled well." The only downside of the win was a heel injury to medium-fast bowler Warren Wisneski. Aberhart said Wisneski and fellow pace bowler Michael Sharpe would undergo fitness tests before the side to play Wellington in a Shell Trophy match, beginning on Monday, was named. Also to be considered are replacements for Murray, Harris, and Allott, who have been named in the New Zealand A team for a four-day match against England in Wanganui beginning on January 30. Aberhart said thought has been given to playing the trio for the first two days of the Wellington game and then seeking replacements. CANTERBURY First innings 543-8 CENTRAL DISTRICTS First innings 347 Second innings (overnight 80-3) C Spearman c Harris b Priest.............96 A Penn lbw Priest.........................9 M Greatbatch run out.....................20 C Furlong not out........................21 G Loveridge c Stead b Harris..............3 D Lamason c sub b Priest..................1 E Austin c Lane b Priest..................1 C Bulfin lbw Allott.......................2 Extras (4lb, 2nb).........................6 Total...................................185 Fall: 29, 36, 74 126, 147, 155, 160, 168, 172, 185. Bowling: G Allott 17.1-3-53-2, W Wisneski 6-2-24-1 (2nb), S Bond 8-0-40-0, M Priest 25-8-57-5, C Harris 6-2-7-1. Umpires: P Williams, B Bowden. Result: Canterbury won by an innings and 11 runs. Source :: The Christchurch Press (http://www.press.co.nz) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)