Round 7: Canterbury v Wellington at Christchurch, 19 Jan 2000

Ball-by-Ball Commentary


Match State: Match scheduled to start at 1pm local time (0000 GMT)

       welcome to Jade Stadium on a lovely sunny Christchurch day, the
        later than usual 1pm start has been greeted by clear skies and
        good warm cricket-watching temperatures
       the crowd is poor for the start, as was the case in the last match
        here between Canterbury and Central Districts on Sunday, barely a
        couple of hundred in the stands at the moment
       Canterbury have won the toss and have decided to bat on the same
        wicket that was used three days ago, with rather dark looking
        footmarks at either end, and is a worn-looking shade of pale brown
       given it was rather slow and difficult to get to grips with on its
        first usage the other day, whoever won the toss here was certain
        to bat first, the umpires saying it'll be very slow and low,
        deteriorating a little as the day progresses
       Canterbury have made just the one change, with the previously
        injured left arm spinner Carl Anderson coming in for pace bowler
        Chris Martin, Jarrod Englefield again maintains 12th man duties
       Wellington see injured captain, keeper and top order batsman Chris
        Nevin return, taking over the leadership from Jason Wells, the
        gloves from able stand-in Matthew Bell, and taking the place of
        Tim  Boyer in the playing XI
       out walk the umpires, followed by the players, it'll be Brad Doody
        to take first strike to Carl Bulfin bowling from the Hadlee Stand
        End, with Nathan Astle at the non-striker's end
       Bulfin to come around the wicket to the left-handed Doody, with
        just the one slip and then a big gap around to the other mandatory
        attacking fielder inside the first 15 overs, a squarish gully
   0.1 Bulfin to Doody, no run, angled away to Twose in a lonely gully
        position on the bounce
   0.2 Bulfin to Doody, one run, drops it in close on the off side and
        they set off for a quick run, well taken to get the scoreboard
        underway
   0.3 Bulfin to Astle, two runs, oh boy! Astle nearly commits hari-kiri
        first ball up, miscues a drive from a full delivery outside off,
        *just* chips it over the cover fielder, with one hand off the
        handle, pitches and stops a few metres inside the rope before
        being picked up
   0.4 Bulfin to Astle, no run, defends into the covers much more
        resolutely this time
   0.5 Bulfin to Astle, no run, drifts into middle and leg, turned up to
        mid on
   0.6 Bulfin to Astle, one run, turned off the thigh down to fine leg

End of over 1 (4 runs) Canterbury 4/0 (RR: 4.00)
CE Bulfin 1-0-4-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 3* (4b) BJK Doody 1* (2b)

       Robert Kennedy to open the bowling from the Port Hills End
   1.1 Kennedy to Astle, no run, pushed up to mid off
   1.2 Kennedy to Astle, no run, firmly stroked back along the pitch to
        the bowler
   1.3 Kennedy to Astle, two runs, neatly clipped through midwicket for a
        couple
   1.4 Kennedy to Astle, FOUR, strays on the legs again, this time Astle
        punishes it even more, with superb timing that sees the ball pick
        up speed as it passes wide of the mid on fielder and away to the
        rope
   1.5 Kennedy to Astle, no run, Kennedy gets his line right again, good
        length ball just outside off stump requires solid defence up to
        mid off
   1.6 Kennedy to Astle, no run, another good ball, squirts it away along
        the ground from the outside edge towards gully, both batsmen are
        hesitant but looking for a run, they have to both get back to
        their respective creases after what could've almost been some
        dangerous indecision

End of over 2 (6 runs) Canterbury 10/0 (RR: 5.00)
RJ Kennedy 1-0-6-0 - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 1* (2b) NJ Astle 9* (10b 1x4)

   2.1 Bulfin to Doody, FOUR, cracking shot! powerful drive slammed
        through the covers on the up, authoritative shot if ever there was
        a text book one to use
       immediately the slip is brought out to a short cover position
   2.2 Bulfin to Doody, no run, firmly stroked away to point
   2.3 Bulfin to Doody, two runs, youch, a bit of early action, this time
        it's Doody who tries to commit suicide with an unconvincing
        stroke, pulls hard but gets it on the splice of the bat, luckily
        there was enough pace and oomph on the shot that saw it lob high
        over the midwicket fie
       already there are signs this pitch is holding up rather a lot
   2.4 Bulfin to Doody, one run, angling into the body, works it away
        towards midwicket enabling a quick run with the shot to be taken
   2.5 Bulfin to Astle, one run, dear oh dear, and another streaky one,
        slashing drive at a shortish ball, *just* flies over the leaping
        gully fielder, down to third man, driving hard with conviction was
        the key, making sure it carried quicker and higher
   2.6 Bulfin to Doody, no run, beaten! Doody has a flash and miss outside
        off stump

End of over 3 (8 runs) Canterbury 18/0 (RR: 6.00)
CE Bulfin 2-0-12-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 10* (11b 1x4) BJK Doody 8* (7b 1x4)

   3.1 Kennedy to Astle, no run, defends into the covers
   3.2 Kennedy to Astle, no run, defends back to the bowler
   3.3 Kennedy to Astle, no run, driven firmly up to mid off
   3.4 Kennedy to Astle, no run, Kennedy maintaining a nice strict line
        after his opening wayward over, Astle can only defend a tight ball
        up to mid off again
   3.5 Kennedy to Astle, one run, no sooner does the poor commentator say
        that, than Kennedy decides to drift one into the legs, Astle
        easily turns it down to Bulfin at long leg
   3.6 Kennedy to Doody, no run, driven into the ground and up to the
        short cover fielder

End of over 4 (1 run) Canterbury 19/0 (RR: 4.75)
RJ Kennedy 2-0-7-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 11* (16b 1x4) BJK Doody 8* (8b 1x4)

   4.1 Bulfin to Astle, legbye: one run, drops it off the pad square on
        the leg side, quick run taken, Doody beats home the good wee
        diving, flicked underhand throw from square leg
   4.2 Bulfin to Doody, SIX, shot! Bulfin drops it short and it sits up
        like a tennis ball on this slow track, Doody rocked back to
        powerfully hoist it over the deep backward square leg rope by a
        couple of metres, he's timing it superbly so far
       Bulfin switches to around the wicket to try and tuck up the lefty
   4.3 Bulfin to Doody, no run, another crisply played stroke, cut
        straight to the point fielder
   4.4 Bulfin to Doody, no run, dances a step and a half down the track
        and then stops, working the ball to short midwicket
   4.5 Bulfin to Doody, one run, driven up on the off side, quick run with
        the shot called as it goes to the right of Petrie at deepish mid
        off
   4.6 Bulfin to Astle, FOUR, slower ball pitched up very full, but it was
        rather an obvious one and Astle picked it, drives straight of mid
        off and you can give that one away quickly

End of over 5 (12 runs) Canterbury 31/0 (RR: 6.20)
CE Bulfin 3-0-23-0 - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 15* (12b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 15* (18b 2x4)

       the defending champions are off to a flier thanks to Bulfin's
        generosity, 12 coming from that over
   5.1 Kennedy to Doody, no run, misplayed drive, up to mid on when trying
        to play it on the off side
   5.2 Kennedy to Doody, no run, Doody's not messing around, looking to
        get on the attack at every opportunity, charges down the pitch but
        misses, brushes the outside of the leading pad and rolls through
        to the keeper, loud appeal only from the bowler is ignored by
        umpire Williams
   5.3 Kennedy to Doody, one run, driven away to midwicket, quick run
        taken
   5.4 Kennedy to Astle, no run, full outside off, jammed away to Wells at
        short midwicket
   5.5 Kennedy to Astle, two runs, shorter ball wide outside off, Astle
        with the slashing drive, keeps it down fairly well as it flies
        past gully, a bit of work for Petrie at third man to get around
        and cut it off, easy two there
   5.6 Kennedy to Astle, no run, defends on the off side of the pitch

End of over 6 (3 runs) Canterbury 34/0 (RR: 5.67)
RJ Kennedy 3-0-10-0 - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 16* (15b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 17* (21b 2x4)

       no guessing who's been by far the more accurate of the opening
        bowlers so far
       and the loser is Bulfin, as former Aucklander Paul Hitchcock
        replaces him at the Hadlee Stand End
   6.1 Hitchcock to Doody, no run, driven up to Petrie at mid off
   6.2 Hitchcock to Doody, one run, holds it back, Doody waits on it just
        caressing it away towards cover point, nippy run taken
   6.3 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, firmly driven straight up to Bulfin at
        mid off
   6.4 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, angling into the legs, struck on the
        top of the pad down leg trying to work it away
   6.5 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, the ball fails to come on, Astle
        through the drive too early, back down the pitch to Hitchcock who
        fields sharply off his own bowling
   6.6 Hitchcock to Astle, wide: no run, just sprays it a bit too wide
        down the leg side to be ignored by umpire Quested
   6.6 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, another ball that holds up, Astle with
        a strong drive, but it loses some of the power as it's hit into
        the ground straight to short cover

End of over 7 (2 runs) Canterbury 36/0 (RR: 5.14)
PA Hitchcock 1-0-2-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
BJK Doody 17* (17b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 17* (25b 2x4)

       a useful opening over from Hitchcock to help stem the flow of runs
        at that end, he's not a particularly tall bowler, short quickly
        striding legs and a whippy arm action make for frenentic viewing
   7.1 Kennedy to Doody, no run, pushed away to backward point
   7.2 Kennedy to Doody, no run, defends firmly back to the bowler
   7.3 Kennedy to Doody, one run, charges, trying to break up the
        consistent length of Kennedy, doesn't fully succeed but manages to
        get it away towards wide mid on, quick run taken, the throw at the
        bowler's end hits Doody running through past the stumps
   7.4 Kennedy to Astle, one run, Astle tries likewise and is lucky to get
        away with it, inside edge into the pad and rolls just between his
        body and the stumps, quick run taken to Nevin who gets across to
        his left, has a shy that just misses
   7.5 Kennedy to Doody, two runs, advances again, stroked through the gap
        at midwicket two-thirds of the way to the rope
   7.6 Kennedy to Doody, one run, goodness gracious me, the timing has
        gone completely awry from both players as they try to force the
        pace on this slow wicket, Doody this time charges, has a big swing
        and only manages to get a streaky edge down to fine leg

End of over 8 (5 runs) Canterbury 41/0 (RR: 5.12)
RJ Kennedy 4-0-15-0 - Port Hills End
BJK Doody 21* (22b 1x4 1x6) NJ Astle 18* (26b 2x4)

   8.1 Hitchcock to Doody, no run, short of a length ball, tries to stand
        and deliver but can't force it away any further than into the
        pitch and back to the bowler
   8.2 Hitchcock to Doody, no run, slower ball wide outside off, swing and
        a miss, taken on the bounce by Nevin
   8.3 Hitchcock to Doody, OUT: it was only a matter of time before one of
        them failed to adjust to a different one on this wicket, Doody
        drives weeks too early to a slower ball and spoons up the simplest
        of catches straight to Bell at cover

       Canterbury 41/1, Partnership of 41
       BJK Doody  c Bell b Hitchcock  21 (25b 1x4 1x6)
       NJ Astle 18* (26b 2x4) PA Hitchcock 1.3-0-2-1 (1w)

       Stephen Fleming the new batsman
   8.4 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, leaves outside off stump
   8.5 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, defends into the covers
   8.6 Hitchcock to Fleming, one run, slashes outside off, Nevin
        athletically leaps towards where first slip could've taken it
        comfortable, gets a fair bit of glove to it, but not the full
        monty, down to third man to get streakily off the mark

End of over 9 (1 run) Canterbury 42/1 (RR: 4.67)
PA Hitchcock 2-0-3-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 1* (3b) NJ Astle 18* (26b 2x4)

   9.1 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, defends in close on the leg side
   9.2 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, watchfully defends back to the bowler
   9.3 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, driving outside off, inside edge into
        the pad and away towards short cover
   9.4 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, firmly stroked straight up to mid on
   9.5 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, forward, waiting in defence, drops it
        down tamely into his pad and at his feet
       Twose is guarding in a very, very, very straight mid off position,
        directly adjacent to the pitch, just in the half of the bowler's
        end
   9.6 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, driving outside off, another inside
        edge with the pad saving him from playing on

End of over 10 (maiden) Canterbury 42/1 (RR: 4.20)
RJ Kennedy 5-1-15-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 18* (26b 2x4) SP Fleming 1* (9b)

       the first maiden of the innings, and things have slowed up
        dramatically, Fleming failing to get any timing going that over
        whatsoever
  10.1 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, neatly clips it away towards midwicket,
        Fleming's eager for a run but is sent back, has to scurry back as
        a throw comes in, stretches the front pad out as he gets to his
        crease to kick it away just to make certain he's safe
  10.2 Hitchcock to Astle, FOUR, shot! Astle gets the train back on the
        tracks with a wonderful punchy extra cover drive, bisecting the
        two fielders in that line to pin-point perfection
  10.3 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, pushed up to Petrie at mid on
  10.4 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, into the pads, drops away to Twose at
        short midwicket
  10.5 Hitchcock to Astle, wide: one run, abysmally wide down the leg
        side, Nevin can't quite gather it in and they get an extra run
  10.5 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, driven up to Petrie at mid off
  10.6 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, nice looking drive but doesn't get it
        any further than cover

End of over 11 (6 runs) Canterbury 48/1 (RR: 4.36)
PA Hitchcock 3-0-9-1 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 22* (30b 3x4) SP Fleming 1* (11b)

  11.1 Kennedy to Astle, no run, goes for a big drive, gets a fair chunk
        of wood on it but mistimed, back down the pitch through Kennedy's
        feet but can't get it past mid off coming across to field
  11.2 Kennedy to Astle, no run, tries to work it to leg, struck high on
        the pad as he overbalances
  11.3 Kennedy to Astle, no run, overpitched ball driven well from his
        toes, but gets it no further than deepish mid on
  11.4 Kennedy to Astle, no run, charges down the track and has an ugly
        heave, totally mis-hits it, into the ground dragging it away to
        Twose at short midwicket
  11.5 Kennedy to Astle, one run, turned away down to deep backward square
        leg, Bulfin around from long leg to field
  11.6 Kennedy to Fleming, no run, angling on leg stump, defends down on
        the leg side behind square

End of over 12 (1 run) Canterbury 49/1 (RR: 4.08)
RJ Kennedy 6-1-16-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 23* (35b 3x4) SP Fleming 1* (12b)

  12.1 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, turned away to forward square leg
  12.2 Hitchcock to Astle, one run, whipped off the pads to long leg, that
        brings up the Canterbury 50 off 74 balls in 53 minutes
  12.3 Hitchcock to Fleming, FOUR, overpitches a slower floating ball,
        Fleming shows some lovely touch in driving it through vacant
        midwicket, just leaned into it, all timing
  12.4 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, Jeckyll and Hyde, flash and miss
        outside off stump to a widish ball
  12.5 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, seams sharply back in to the pads,
        rebounds away on the off side
  12.6 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, shuffles towards off, trying to work
        it through midwicket, often the stumbling block for Fleming if
        bowler's realise this trait and Hitchcock does, slipping in a
        quicker straight ball, into the pad, but the unconvincing appeal
        from the bowler is delaye

End of over 13 (5 runs) Canterbury 54/1 (RR: 4.15)
PA Hitchcock 4-0-14-1 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 24* (37b 3x4) SP Fleming 5* (16b 1x4)

       not until after some fielders went up for the shout did he follow
        up, possibly an inside edge in there
  13.1 Kennedy to Astle, no run, Astle not quite coming to grips with the
        wicket at the moment, failing to adjust for the pace, he tries
        another cross batted heave, it's just not on, into the pad
  13.2 Kennedy to Astle, no run, firmly stroked up to mid on
  13.3 Kennedy to Astle, two runs, drives up to the right of mid on, this
        time they take a dicey single with the shot, but pressure does
        funny things to people, Walker muffs it up completely charging in
        to field, and leaves it behind him so they get a bonus run
  13.4 Kennedy to Astle, no run, driven up to Jefferson again, Fleming
        sent back after looking for another tight run
  13.5 Kennedy to Astle, two runs, worked off the hip wide of Hitchcock at
        square leg, easy two to Bulfin coming around from long leg
  13.6 Kennedy to Astle, no run, turned to Twose at short midwicket, who
        falls a bit early trying to field it as the ball is slow to
        arrive, awkwardly parries it down to the ground

End of over 14 (4 runs) Canterbury 58/1 (RR: 4.14)
RJ Kennedy 7-1-20-0 - Port Hills End
SP Fleming 5* (16b 1x4) NJ Astle 28* (43b 3x4)

  14.1 Hitchcock to Fleming, legbye: one run, into the pad, drops away in
        close on the leg side, sharp run taken as the field is too deep to
        do much about that one
  14.2 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, quicker ball, full down leg, into
        Astle's pads as he tries to whip it away through midwicket
  14.3 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, driven into the ground, quietly away to
        Bell at cover
  14.4 Hitchcock to Astle, one run, Astle waits on it as it sits up,
        slapping shot towards cover point, Fleming comes down a few paces
        looking for a run but has to go back as two fielders get to it,
        but they get the run as another poor misfield leaves the ball
        behind
  14.5 Hitchcock to Fleming, FOUR, super shot, drifting into the toes and
        Fleming clips it hard through midwicket
       a hold up in play as umpire Dave Quested flexes his left leg,
        umpire Williams quickly jogs over to see what the story is, but
        he's OK for now, looks like he may have copped a rebound from a
        throw at the stumps, probably won't require the services of the
  14.6 Hitchcock to Fleming, no run, solid text book forward defensive
        shot up to mid off

End of over 15 (6 runs) Canterbury 64/1 (RR: 4.27)
PA Hitchcock 5-0-19-1 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 29* (46b 3x4) SP Fleming 9* (19b 2x4)

       Richard Petrie replaces Kennedy after a spell of 0-20 from 7 overs
        at the Port Hills End
       Richard Petrie replaces Kennedy after a spell of 0-20 from 7 overs
        at the Port Hills End
  15.1 Petrie to Astle, no run, defends on the off side
  15.2 Petrie to Astle, one run, turned down to Bulfin at long leg
  15.3 Petrie to Fleming, no run, pushes away from the body at a shorter,
        wide ball outside off, misses, Nevin snaps it up standing up to
        the stumps - Petrie isn't the medium quick bowler he was in his
        younger years, very much off 10 paces nowadays
  15.4 Petrie to Fleming, one run, firmly glanced down towards long leg,
        Fleming looking for a tight second but sent back wisely by Astle
  15.5 Petrie to Astle, no run, driven hard straight up to mid off
  15.6 Petrie to Astle, no run, and same again

End of over 16 (2 runs) Canterbury 66/1 (RR: 4.12)
RG Petrie 1-0-2-0 - Port Hills End
SP Fleming 10* (21b 2x4) NJ Astle 30* (50b 3x4)

       Mark Jefferson replaces Hitchcock at the Hadlee Stand End after a
        spell of 1-19 from 5 overs, in a double change
  16.1 Jefferson to Fleming, no run, back on his crease, turned away to
        Wells at short midwicket
  16.2 Jefferson to Fleming, one run, flighted full, sparkling back foot
        drive crouching into it, but with the fielding restrictions lifted
        an over and a bit ago, he only gets one for it, to the deep cover
        man
  16.3 Jefferson to Astle, no run, flat ball, pushed to short cover
  16.4 Jefferson to Astle, no run, tries to sweep, into the pad and away
        to short fine leg
  16.5 Jefferson to Astle, no run, drifts towards middle and leg, turned
        away towards Wells at midwicket
  16.6 Jefferson to Astle, no run, stroked back down the pitch to the
        bowler, good opening over from Jefferson

End of over 17 (1 run) Canterbury 67/1 (RR: 3.94)
MR Jefferson 1-0-1-0 - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 11* (23b 2x4) NJ Astle 30* (54b 3x4)

       and it's time for a drinks break
  17.1 Petrie to Fleming, two runs, well clipped forward of square leg,
        there always looked two in that, but they hesitated before
        suddenly coming back for it, Bell races around from deep backward
        square leg and fires in a super hard, flat throw to the bowlers
        end
       Petrie palmed it on to the stumps and a sharp appeal was lodged,
        but Astle just got home in time
  17.2 Petrie to Fleming, FOUR, shot of the day so far, magnificent
        straight drive on the off side of the pitch
       and immediately mid off is moved back to long off
  17.3 Petrie to Fleming, two runs, turned down towards deep backward
        square, well run second taken as Kennedy gets around to field
  17.4 Petrie to Fleming, no run, defends on the leg side of the pitch
  17.5 Petrie to Fleming, no run, into the pad, loud appeal for lbw from
        Petrie turned down
  17.6 Petrie to Fleming, one run, driven up to long off

End of over 18 (9 runs) Canterbury 76/1 (RR: 4.22)
RG Petrie 2-0-11-0 - Port Hills End
SP Fleming 20* (29b 3x4) NJ Astle 30* (54b 3x4)

  18.1 Jefferson to Fleming, FOUR, Fleming's starting to turn it on now,
        another cracking shot, this time driven through extra cover and it
        fair races away, gathering momentum as it rollicks past the
        groping Kennedy at mid off
  18.2 Jefferson to Fleming, one run, and almost gone next ball! Jefferson
        cleverly flighted it up inviting another drive, Fleming went for
        it with relish but only succeeded in getting a faint nick, but it
        bounced up sharply from the deck and Nevin couldn't snatch it
       they get a run as it rolls away behind him
  18.3 Jefferson to Astle, no run, pushed straight to short cover
  18.4 Jefferson to Astle, FOUR, Astle joins in the sudden surge of runs,
        with a wonderful cut through backward point, no hope for Walker at
        deep cover
  18.5 Jefferson to Astle, one run, swept away to Bell at deep square leg
  18.6 Jefferson to Fleming, no run, stroked to short midwicket

End of over 19 (10 runs) Canterbury 86/1 (RR: 4.53)
MR Jefferson 2-0-11-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 35* (57b 4x4) SP Fleming 25* (32b 4x4)

       10 from the over, 19 from the last two, boosting the previously
        flagging run rate
  19.1 Petrie to Astle, no run, nudged off the back foot up to mid off
  19.2 Petrie to Astle, legbye: two runs, strays down the leg side,
        glanced fine off the pad for a couple as Bulfin's around from
        squarer to field
  19.3 Petrie to Astle, no run, too straight for that shot Mr Astle, tries
        to cut a ball on off stump, withholds the stroke as he's into it,
        chopping it into the turf and away to cover point
  19.4 Petrie to Astle, FOUR, this time he gets what he desired the
        previous ball, just a tad wider from Petrie and he pounces, cut
        through the covers, beating the despairing dive inside the circle,
        then the fruitless chase and dive by Jefferson at the rope
       that brings up the 50 partnership
  19.5 Petrie to Astle, no run, similar again, chopped into the ground to
        Jefferson at extra cover
  19.6 Petrie to Astle, one run, square driven to Bell at deep cover

End of over 20 (7 runs) Canterbury 93/1 (RR: 4.65)
RG Petrie 3-0-16-0 - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 40* (63b 5x4) SP Fleming 25* (32b 4x4)

       26 from the last three overs now, expect a change at Petrie's end
        rather soon
  20.1 Jefferson to Astle, no run, terribly wide outside off, Astle
        however lashes at it, cracking it straight to cover
  20.2 Jefferson to Astle, no run, leaves alone outside off, wrong ball
        this over to do it to though, no wide there
  20.3 Jefferson to Astle, FOUR, sweeps very fine, too good for short fine
        leg and it races away to the advertising hoardings
  20.4 Jefferson to Astle, one run, forward, nurdles it away to vacant
        square leg for the easiest of runs
  20.5 Jefferson to Fleming, no run, floated up tantalisingly on a length,
        Fleming watchfully prods it to extra cover
  20.6 Jefferson to Fleming, one run, taps it towards short cover, this
        time they take on the fielder, Astle flies home beating the throw
        to Nevin, whips off the bails only for effect, well run

End of over 21 (6 runs) Canterbury 99/1 (RR: 4.71)
MR Jefferson 3-0-17-0 - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 26* (34b 4x4) NJ Astle 45* (67b 6x4)

       and as predicted, Petrie is hauled off at the Port Hills End after
        going for 16 from his 3 overs, Matthew Walker to get a trot
  21.1 Walker to Fleming, wide: no run, short and very wide outside off,
        not a great way to begin, brings up the Canterbury 100 off 126
        balls in 88 minutes
  21.1 Walker to Fleming, no run, driven to Wells at extra cover
  21.2 Walker to Fleming, one run, forward, drives straighter this time,
        down to Donaldson at long off
  21.3 Walker to Astle, no run, straightish ball on leg stump, into the
        top of the pad as he tried to work it through square
  21.4 Walker to Astle, no run, full and wide outside off, mistimed drive
        straight back down the pitch to Walker
  21.5 Walker to Astle, FOUR, you bowl it wide down the leg side, you get
        punished, simple coaching less, Astle glances it very fine and it
        races away to the hoardings using the pace off the ball
  21.6 Walker to Astle, one run, pushed off the back foot up to mid on,
        quick single taken, it looked rather tight but he played it well
        short of the advancing fielder, and it was a side on throw that
        misses, brings up his 50 off 71 balls, 91 minutes, 6x4

End of over 22 (7 runs) Canterbury 106/1 (RR: 4.82)
MDJ Walker 1-0-7-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 50* (71b 7x4) SP Fleming 27* (36b 4x4)

  22.1 Jefferson to Astle, one run, cut away to Walker at deep cover
  22.2 Jefferson to Fleming, one run, forward, driven down to Bulfin at
        long on
  22.3 Jefferson to Astle, two runs, coming around the wicket to the right
        hander now, doesn't work as Astle expertly paddles it around the
        corner, from a full ball outside off, nobody down at fine leg, a
        bit of a run around for long leg to field
  22.4 Jefferson to Astle, two runs, straighter full toss, Astle does it
        again, almost gets it to the rope, Wells around to field again
  22.5 Jefferson to Astle, no run, fast, flat and full wide outside off,
        Astle chops down on to it into the ground, back to Jefferson
  22.6 Jefferson to Astle, two runs, superb off drive, equally good
        fielding by Bulfin racing around and diving to stop it inside the
        rope at wide long off

End of over 23 (8 runs) Canterbury 114/1 (RR: 4.96)
MR Jefferson 4-0-25-0 - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 28* (37b 4x4) NJ Astle 57* (76b 7x4)

       9, 10, 7, 6, 6, 7, 8 from the last 7 overs, netting 53 runs, this
        pair putting the pedal to metal now at will after struggling for
        quite a while
  23.1 Walker to Fleming, wide: two runs, wide down the leg side, almost
        makes it to the fence, things falling apart a bit for Wellington
        now, they have few answers for this experienced pair
  23.1 Walker to Fleming, FOUR, and the runs keep flowing, again Walker
        fails to keep it straight, glanced very fine down leg and away to
        the rope, beating Kennedy at long leg
  23.2 Walker to Fleming, one run, driven firmly down to long off
  23.3 Walker to Astle, no run, driven to mid on
  23.4 Walker to Astle, no run, beaten! pushing outside off, through to
        Nevin who rebounds it up in the air from the first take, gloving
        it second time around, Walker partially went up but stopped,
        nothing on that one
  23.5 Walker to Astle, no run, mis-hit up to mid on, Astle through the
        shot too early and nearly spooned it up, Walker got excited but it
        was under enough control not to be in danger of being caught
  23.6 Walker to Astle, one run, worked away to vacant backward square leg
        for an easy run

End of over 24 (9 runs) Canterbury 123/1 (RR: 5.12)
MDJ Walker 2-0-16-0 (2w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 58* (80b 7x4) SP Fleming 33* (39b 5x4)

  24.1 Jefferson to Astle, one run, dabbed away backward of point
  24.2 Jefferson to Fleming, no run, forward, driven to Wells diving well
        to field at short midwicket
  24.3 Jefferson to Fleming, one run, driven down to Bulfin at long on
  24.4 Jefferson to Astle, wide: no run, wide down the leg side, sweeps
        but it's too wide to catch up with
  24.4 Jefferson to Astle, no run, pushing forward, away to cover point,
        Donaldson up from backward of square to field
  24.5 Jefferson to Astle, one run, driven straight on the off side of the
        pitch, Jefferson dives across but can't gather it in, straight
        through Fleming's legs down to Bulfin at long off
  24.6 Jefferson to Fleming, one run, driven down to Kennedy at long off

End of over 25 (5 runs) Canterbury 128/1 (RR: 5.12)
MR Jefferson 5-0-30-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 35* (42b 5x4) NJ Astle 60* (83b 7x4)

  25.1 Walker to Fleming, no run, driving on the off side, extra cover
        slides in to field, preventing it getting down to long off
  25.2 Walker to Fleming, one run, driven towards wide mid on, quick
        single taken with the shot
  25.3 Walker to Astle, no run, driven straight to extra cover
  25.4 Walker to Astle, no run, straight ball, squares around a little
        reaching forward, pushed on the off side
  25.5 Walker to Astle, no run, driven straight back to the bowler
  25.6 Walker to Astle, no run, forward defensive, back to Walker

End of over 26 (1 run) Canterbury 129/1 (RR: 4.96)
MDJ Walker 3-0-17-0 (2w) - Port Hills End
SP Fleming 36* (44b 5x4) NJ Astle 60* (87b 7x4)

       the first economical over bowled in quite some time indeed
       Bulfin returns, replacing Jefferson at the Hadlee Stand End after a
        spell of 0-30 from 5 overs
  26.1 Bulfin to Fleming, no run, square driving outside off, plays over
        the top of it however, into the ground frum the underface of the
        bat and through to the keeper
  26.2 Bulfin to Fleming, FOUR, overpitches on the legs and Fleming
        wonderfully drives it through wide mid on to the rope
  26.3 Bulfin to Fleming, one run, shortish ball, pulled away to deep
        square leg
  26.4 Bulfin to Astle, SIX, whack! Astle charges, has to reach for it as
        he moved a bit far to leg, but scooped it hard and high enough to
        get it away, spent an eternity in the air before just pitching a
        few inches over the rope at cow corner
  26.5 Bulfin to Astle, no run, now that's a comeback delivery, yorker
        length ball dug out well by Astle
  26.6 Bulfin to Astle, one run, crisp cut away to deep point, and that
        brings up the 100 partnership in just 111 balls

End of over 27 (12 runs) Canterbury 141/1 (RR: 5.22)
CE Bulfin 4-0-35-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 67* (90b 7x4 1x6) SP Fleming 41* (47b 6x4)

       it's not Bulfin's day today, 23 from his initial opening 3 over
        spell, and he returns to be belted for 12 more in his next over
  27.1 Walker to Astle, no run, forward defensive back to the bowler
  27.2 Walker to Astle, one run, cut away sweetly to deep backward point
  27.3 Walker to Fleming, no run, defends back to Walker
  27.4 Walker to Fleming, one run, flicked away to deep backward square
        leg, picking it up from off stump, not well timed but did the job
        nonetheless
  27.5 Walker to Astle, no run, driven up to mid on
  27.6 Walker to Astle, one run, cut away to deep cover, Bell quickly
        across from squarer to field and keep it to just one

End of over 28 (3 runs) Canterbury 144/1 (RR: 5.14)
MDJ Walker 4-0-20-0 (2w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 69* (94b 7x4 1x6) SP Fleming 42* (49b 6x4)

       Roger Twose to have a bowl, replacing Bulfin after a solitary over
        long second spell costing 12 at the Hadlee Stand End
  28.1 Twose to Astle, no run, forward, pushed to cover
  28.2 Twose to Astle, one run, turned away past Petrie at short fine leg,
        to Wells at deep backward square
  28.3 Twose to Fleming, two runs, flights up a loopy full toss, off spin
        may not be Twose's forte, Fleming sweeps but gets a top edge
        behind the keeper, but there's no fielder for quite some space
        there so it's quite safe
  28.4 Twose to Fleming, no run, sweeping again, into the pad, huge appeal
        for lbw from bowler and keeper but umpire Quested isn't
        interesting, going down leg
  28.5 Twose to Fleming, two runs, driven down to Bulfin around to field
        at wide long on
  28.6 Twose to Fleming, no run, floated up, turned to short midwicket

End of over 29 (5 runs) Canterbury 149/1 (RR: 5.14)
RG Twose 1-0-5-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 70* (96b 7x4 1x6) SP Fleming 46* (53b 6x4)

  29.1 Walker to Astle, no run, turned away to midwicket
  29.2 Walker to Astle, no run, shortish ball, standing tall, forced off
        the back foot straight to extra cover
  29.3 Walker to Astle, wide: one run, wide down the leg side, Nevin fails
        to glove it properly and a bonus couple of runs, brings up the
        Canterbury 150 off 176 balls in 121 minutes
  29.3 Walker to Fleming, no run, driven up to Petrie at mid on
  29.4 Walker to Fleming, no run, straight ball on off stump, Fleming
        ungainly prods in defence, into the pad and rolls away to Nevin
        just past the off stump
  29.5 Walker to Fleming, one run, driving outside off, drags it out to
        deep square leg
  29.6 Walker to Astle, no run, pushed to extra cover

End of over 30 (3 runs) Canterbury 152/1 (RR: 5.07)
MDJ Walker 5-0-23-0 (3w) - Port Hills End
SP Fleming 47* (56b 6x4) NJ Astle 70* (99b 7x4 1x6)

  30.1 Twose to Fleming, one run, driven down to Bulfin at wide long on
  30.2 Twose to Astle, one run, short ball, sits up on the spot for
        seemingly an eternity, Astle lines it up but has to wait and wait
        before finally cracking it down to wide long off, Bulfin fields
        again and they only manage a single as it was too strongly hit
  30.3 Twose to Fleming, one run, turned down to fine leg
  30.4 Twose to Astle, wide: FOUR, shocking ball from Twose, wide down the
        leg side, no chance for Nevin and it races away to the rope, even
        from his pace off four steps
       too many wides given away in this innings so far, it may really
        come back to hurt them later
  30.4 Twose to Astle, FOUR, slashes at a ball outside off, thick outside
        edge races down to the fine third man boundary, with the man
        inside the circle that was always going to be a boundary
  30.5 Twose to Astle, no run, driven firmly back on the off side, good
        sharp stop by the bowler
  30.6 Twose to Astle, FOUR, Astle winding it up now, overpitched wide
        outside off, strongly chops it away backward of point and Walker
        flags the chase from deep cover early, jogging over to the ball
        merely to collect it

End of over 31 (16 runs) Canterbury 168/1 (RR: 5.42)
RG Twose 2-0-21-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 49* (58b 6x4) NJ Astle 79* (103b 9x4 1x6)

       not much has been working from the Hadlee Stand End today for
        Wellington, Bulfin, Jefferson and Twose all getting pasted with
        only Hitchcock looking the goods
       fortunes have been better from the Port Hills End with Kennedy and
        Walker being fairly demanding
  31.1 Walker to Fleming, no run, driven up to mid on
  31.2 Walker to Fleming, no run, driven back along the deck to the bowler
  31.3 Walker to Fleming, no run, full ball, hit into the pitch and back
        up to Walker at chest height on the bounce
  31.4 Walker to Fleming, one run, turned away through square leg to the
        deep, that posts Fleming's 50 off 62 balls in 90 minutes, 6x4
  31.5 Walker to Astle, no run, wide down the leg side, this time the arms
        remain by umpire William's side, peculiarly
  31.6 Walker to Astle, one run, cracking drive beating the diving cover,
        but Bell is quick in the deep, keeping thoughts of a second as
        just that, thoughts

End of over 32 (2 runs) Canterbury 170/1 (RR: 5.31)
MDJ Walker 6-0-25-0 (3w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 80* (105b 9x4 1x6) SP Fleming 50* (62b 6x4)

       Petrie returns to the attack at the Hadlee Stand End, replacing the
        expensive Twose after a spell of 0-21 from 2 overs
  32.1 Petrie to Astle, one run, driven firmly back on the leg side of the
        pitch, Petrie can only get a partial hand to it and can't prevent
        the run towards mid on
  32.2 Petrie to Fleming, one run, dear oh dear, Fleming scoops it
        straight up in the air, unbelievably it pitches right where a mid
        on would be, and well away from the bowler and two fielders, that
        was an 'out shot' if ever one saw one, very lucky indeed
       that happened quite a bit in the previous match here too as batsmen
        failed to always adjust for the pace of the track
  32.3 Petrie to Astle, no run, driven to midwicket
  32.4 Petrie to Astle, one run, driven down to Bulfin at long off
  32.5 Petrie to Fleming, two runs, cracking aerial straight drive past
        Petrie, Kennedy does well to quickly get across and dive from long
        off to stop it in front of the sightscreen
  32.6 Petrie to Fleming, no run, Fleming advances but then pulls out of
        the big shot, nudging it away to point instead

End of over 33 (5 runs) Canterbury 175/1 (RR: 5.30)
RG Petrie 4-0-21-0 - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 82* (108b 9x4 1x6) SP Fleming 53* (65b 6x4)

  33.1 Walker to Astle, two runs, driven away wide of mid on, after a long
        hard look, Fleming calls back Astle for the second, going to the
        danger end and making it home well
  33.2 Walker to Astle, no run, driven firmly back to the bowler
  33.3 Walker to Astle, one run, square driven away to deep point
  33.4 Walker to Fleming, no run, tries to whip it to leg, cannons into
        the pads, big appeal from the bowler but not given, struck outside
        off
  33.5 Walker to Fleming, one run, turned away towards midwicket, quick
        single taken
  33.6 Walker to Astle, one run, straight ball outside off stump, driven
        down to long off

End of over 34 (5 runs) Canterbury 180/1 (RR: 5.29)
MDJ Walker 7-0-30-0 (3w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 86* (112b 9x4 1x6) SP Fleming 54* (67b 6x4)

  34.1 Petrie to Astle, one run, cut away to Hitchcock , who's been
        strangely absent from the bowling crease for  a while, at deep
        cover
       Nevin must be saving him up for the final overs
  34.2 Petrie to Fleming, one run, driven down to Kennedy at long off
  34.3 Petrie to Astle, wide: no run, slower ball, full and wide down the
        leg side, Nevin takes on the second bounce
  34.3 Petrie to Astle, wide: no run, and an exact repeat of the previous
        ball!
  34.3 Petrie to Astle, one run, cracking straight drive but only gets one
        for it as Bulfin is lurking down at long off
  34.4 Petrie to Fleming, one run, driven up towards long on, Bulfin again
        fields
  34.5 Petrie to Astle, no run, cracking drive but straight to extra cover
  34.6 Petrie to Astle, one run, slower ball on the legs, waits on it
        before whipping it away to Bell at deep square leg

End of over 35 (7 runs) Canterbury 187/1 (RR: 5.34)
RG Petrie 5-0-28-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 89* (116b 9x4 1x6) SP Fleming 56* (69b 6x4)

       and it's time for the second drinks break, this pair wresting
        things away from Wellington, just when the visitors looked like
        they were getting on top of things on this awkward pitch
       it's certainly got no demons in it, nor is it a particularly bad
        wicket, but it's different and requires appropriate adjustments in
        technique to be made to succeed on it, both Fleming and Astle
        looked dicey early, but have been playing it straight and we
  35.1 Walker to Astle, one run, driven past the despairing dive by
        Jefferson at extra cover, down to long of and into the 90s
  35.2 Walker to Fleming, one run, turned around the corner down to
        Kennedy at fine leg
  35.3 Walker to Astle, no run, full ball firmly clipped straight to Wells
        at short midwicket
  35.4 Walker to Astle, one run, driven down to long off
  35.5 Walker to Fleming, one run, just milking it for all it's worth now,
        shuffles to off and turns it through backward square leg, that
        brings up the 150 partnership
  35.6 Walker to Astle, no run, back, pushes a straight one back down the
        pitch to Walker

End of over 36 (4 runs) Canterbury 191/1 (RR: 5.31)
MDJ Walker 8-0-34-0 (3w) - Port Hills End
SP Fleming 58* (71b 6x4) NJ Astle 91* (120b 9x4 1x6)

  36.1 Petrie to Fleming, one run, drives away from the body to one widish
        outside off, thick outside edge in the air, but safely down to
        third man
  36.2 Petrie to Astle, one run, full ball squeezed away to Bell at deep
        midwicket
       a succession of singles only, lately, perhaps Wellington can be
        grateful for small mercies, the last 14 scoring shots have all
        been worth just one run
  36.3 Petrie to Fleming, no run, overpitched wide outside off, plays over
        the top of it, through to Nevin
  36.4 Petrie to Fleming, one run, full, driven down to long on
  36.5 Petrie to Astle, no run, full, gentle enquiry to the umpire from
        Petrie as it strikes him low on the pads as he tried to turn it to
        leg
  36.6 Petrie to Astle, no run, driven back to the bowler

End of over 37 (3 runs) Canterbury 194/1 (RR: 5.24)
RG Petrie 6-0-31-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
SP Fleming 60* (74b 6x4) NJ Astle 92* (123b 9x4 1x6)

  37.1 Walker to Fleming, no run, defends back to the bowler
  37.2 Walker to Fleming, OUT: slashes outside off, only manages to get a
        faint underedge and Nevin snaps up the catch, Fleming walks as
        bowler and keeper are jubilant, their teammates are slightly more
        subdued, but relieved nonetheless as finally the partnership is
        broken

       Canterbury 194/2, Partnership of 153
       SP Fleming  c Nevin b Walker  60 (76b 6x4 0x6)
       NJ Astle 92* (123b 9x4 1x6) MDJ Walker 8.2-0-34-1 (3w)

       Craig McMillan the new batsman
  37.3 Walker to McMillan, one run, full ball, turned down to sub fielder
        Pasupati at fine leg
  37.4 Walker to Astle, one run, cut into the ground, away to deep cover
  37.5 Walker to McMillan, no run, full ball, shuffling towards off stump,
        struck low on the pad trying to push it through square leg, half
        shout from the bowler, McMillan has to get back into his crease as
        Nevin threatens to back flick it on to the stumps from side on
  37.6 Walker to McMillan, FOUR, swiped over midwicket, bludgeoning blow,
        brings up the Canterbury 200 off 228 balls in 156 minutes

End of over 38 (6 runs) Canterbury 200/2 (RR: 5.26)
MDJ Walker 9-0-40-1 (3w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 93* (124b 9x4 1x6) CD McMillan 5* (3b 1x4)

       Hitchcock returns to replace Petrie at the Hadlee Stand End
  38.1 Hitchcock to Astle, legbye: one run, tries to whip it away off his
        legs, into the pad and drops in close square on the leg side, easy
        leg bye taken
  38.2 Hitchcock to McMillan, one run, thumping drive slightly on the up,
        down to Bulfin at widish long off
  38.3 Hitchcock to Astle, one run, driven straight down to Mayu Pasupati
        long off
  38.4 Hitchcock to McMillan, wide: no run, full and wide down the leg
        side, McMillan has a swing but can't get anything on it, gets the
        free run anyway
  38.4 Hitchcock to McMillan, no run, fast and full, hurries on to
        McMillan, cannons into the pad down leg towards short fine leg,
        they look for the run but wisely stay at home
  38.5 Hitchcock to McMillan, one run, another fast full ball, dug out
        towards midwicket, they jog the single
  38.6 Hitchcock to Astle, one run, pushed with a small backlift down past
        the bowler on the leg side of the pitch, to long on

End of over 39 (6 runs) Canterbury 206/2 (RR: 5.28)
PA Hitchcock 6-0-24-1 (3w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 95* (127b 9x4 1x6) CD McMillan 7* (6b 1x4)

       Walker begins his last over of a useful trot
  39.1 Walker to Astle, one run, sweetly cut away to Bell at deep backward
        point
  39.2 Walker to McMillan, FOUR, McMillan only has one thing on his mind -
        attack! thwacked over wide mid on and over the rope after a couple
        of bounces just inside the boundary
  39.3 Walker to McMillan, OUT: McMillan mixes the smashing with the
        inane, next ball he's out to another one of his famed ridiculous
        'out shots', presents the blade ready to paddle, does nothing with
        it, just letting it come on, take the splice, ping high in the air
        and str

       Canterbury 211/3, Partnership of 17
       CD McMillan  c sub (MY Pasupati) b Walker  11 (8b 2x4 0x6)
       NJ Astle 96* (128b 9x4 1x6) MDJ Walker 9.3-0-45-2 (3w)

       Chris Harris the new batsman, off strike as they crossed while that
        spent a while in the air
  39.4 Walker to Astle, one run, driven down to long off
  39.5 Walker to Harris, no run, dabbed straight to backward point
  39.6 Walker to Harris, one run, full ball, squeezed away towards vacant
        square leg to get off the mark and retain the strike from Astle
        who's nearing his 4th Shell Cup century

End of over 40 (7 runs) Canterbury 213/3 (RR: 5.32)
MDJ Walker 10-0-47-2 (3w) - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 1* (2b) NJ Astle 97* (129b 9x4 1x6)

  40.1 Hitchcock to Harris, one run, tip and run, drops it short of the
        cover fielder to garner the easy single
  40.2 Hitchcock to Astle, no run, driven firmly, but can't get it past
        Wells diving forward at extra cover
  40.3 Hitchcock to Astle, one run, lovely drive straight down to Pasupati
        at long off
  40.4 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, props forward in defence outside off
        stump, struck on the pad, half-hearted shout for lbw from
        Hitchcock
  40.5 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, pushed up full, driven straight to
        Jefferson at extra cover
  40.6 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, pushes forward in defence on the off
        side

End of over 41 (2 runs) Canterbury 215/3 (RR: 5.24)
PA Hitchcock 7-0-26-1 (3w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 98* (131b 9x4 1x6) CZ Harris 2* (6b)

       Kennedy returns at the Port Hills End, replacing Walker who's
        bowled out his 10 overs, taking 2-47
  41.1 Kennedy to Astle, wide: no run, full and wide down the leg side,
        can't get a fine tickle on it, Nevin does well to get across to
        his left some distance to stop it being any more than just one
        wide
  41.1 Kennedy to Astle, no run, cracking back cut, but super dive from
        Twose at backward point, prevents the century as that would've
        gone to the boundary otherwise
  41.2 Kennedy to Astle, no run, full ball, driven into the pitch and back
        to Kennedy
  41.3 Kennedy to Astle, no run, shortish ball wide outside off, chops it
        into the ground and away to Jefferson at cover, struggling to
        advance towards three figures now
  41.4 Kennedy to Astle, no run, good ball, Astle is forced to dig out a
        near yorker length ball straight back to Kennedy
  41.5 Kennedy to Astle, no run, driven to mid on, still stuck on 98 for 5
        straight balls now, getting a bit nervous, good bowling from
        Kennedy
  41.6 Kennedy to Astle, one run, well, not the century, but he gets off
        the bogey 98, driven down to long on

End of over 42 (2 runs) Canterbury 217/3 (RR: 5.17)
RJ Kennedy 8-1-22-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 99* (137b 9x4 1x6) CZ Harris 2* (6b)

       Astle retains the strike on 99*, Hitchcock to bowl
  42.1 Hitchcock to Astle, one run, and there's the century! driven down
        to long on, bringing up his 4th Shell Cup 100 off 138 balls, 175
        minutes, 9x4, 1x6, continues to prove to be one of the few players
        in New Zealand cricket who has the ability to consistently score
        centuries in any f
  42.2 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, driven up to Pasupati at mid on
  42.3 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, into the pad, loud appeal for lbw by
        Hitchcock, completely unsupported in it however
  42.4 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, Harris charges, swings, misses, just
        missing off stump through to Nevin
  42.5 Hitchcock to Harris, two runs, overpitched into the legs, clipped
        through backward square leg, Harris spies the second run as it
        rolls away between two outfielders and takes advantage
  42.6 Hitchcock to Harris, no run, struck on the pad outside off,
        rebounds away to point

End of over 43 (3 runs) Canterbury 220/3 (RR: 5.12)
PA Hitchcock 8-0-29-1 (3w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 100* (138b 9x4 1x6) CZ Harris 4* (11b)

       Wellington have quietened the locals considering since the silly
        loss of McMillan, just 9 runs from 3.2 overs
  43.1 Kennedy to Astle, no run, full ball, driven hard into the pitch and
        back to Kennedy
  43.2 Kennedy to Astle, one run, cracked back in the air, Kennedy gets a
        bit of a hand to it, but no way he could hang on to it, struck too
        strongly, down towards the sightscreen, long off and long on
        converge to tidy up
  43.3 Kennedy to Harris, no run, driven to extra cover
  43.4 Kennedy to Harris, no run, hit into the pitch, back to Kennedy on
        the bounce
  43.5 Kennedy to Harris, no run, Harris struggling to get it away,
        slapped straight to Walker at short midwicket
  43.6 Kennedy to Harris, one run, full toss, only manages to turn it away
        tamely to Bell at deep midwicket, who throws back towards the
        bowler's end and manages to hit poor umpire Williams standing in
        the way

End of over 44 (2 runs) Canterbury 222/3 (RR: 5.05)
RJ Kennedy 9-1-24-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 5* (15b) NJ Astle 101* (140b 9x4 1x6)

       just 7 runs from the last 3 overs, good comeback here by
        Wellington, could keep the home side down to something as low as
        260 if they play their cards right
       Petrie replaces Hitchcock at the Hadlee Stand End, Nevin's saving
        Hitchcock back for the final two overs from one end it seems
  44.1 Petrie to Harris, two runs, well whipped through wide midwicket,
        placed nicely by Harris to get the second run
  44.2 Petrie to Harris, one run, chipped through vacant wide mid on, down
        to Pasupati in the deep
  44.3 Petrie to Astle, no run, goes for a big drive but mistimes it
        completely, drops tamely on the ground on the off side
  44.4 Petrie to Astle, SIX, smash! Astle charges and gets a hold of that
        one tremendously, smoked over long on and a few rows back into the
        No. 1 stand
       Nevin comes up to the stumps in response to Astle coming out of his
        crease
  44.5 Petrie to Astle, one run, full straight ball, paddled straight to
        short fine leg, quick run taken
  44.6 Petrie to Harris, no run, high full toss, Harris only manages to
        stroke it straight back to Petrie

End of over 45 (10 runs) Canterbury 232/3 (RR: 5.16)
RG Petrie 7-0-41-0 (2w) - Hadlee Stand End
NJ Astle 108* (143b 9x4 2x6) CZ Harris 8* (18b)

  45.1 Kennedy to Astle, two runs, wide, low full toss outside off, Astle
        scoops it over extra cover down to the wide long off man, Harris
        sprints back for the second to the danger end
  45.2 Kennedy to Astle, no run, yorker length delivery, dug out to Walker
        at extra cover
  45.3 Kennedy to Astle, FOUR, Astle innovating a lot ala the more
        extravangant strokemakers McMillan or Cairns, low full toss, pre-
        determined paddle and just chips it over Pasupati at short fine
        leg, crashing into the hoardings, excellent leaping catch attempt
        but he could barely g
  45.4 Kennedy to Astle, no run, struck on the pad, loud appeal for lbw by
        Kennedy but struck outside the line of off
  45.5 Kennedy to Astle, no run, turned away straight to wide mid on
  45.6 Kennedy to Astle, one run, full ball, squeezed down to long off

End of over 46 (7 runs) Canterbury 239/3 (RR: 5.20)
RJ Kennedy 10-1-31-0 (1w) - Port Hills End
NJ Astle 115* (149b 10x4 2x6) CZ Harris 8* (18b)

       that ends Kennedy's allotment, a good day's work all in all, 0-31
        from 10, moderately expensive final over costing 7 however
  46.1 Petrie to Astle, FOUR, smokin'! shortish ball sits up, Astle pulls
        and pulls hard, the fielders just stand and watch as it thunders
        into the deep midwicket boundary
  46.2 Petrie to Astle, one run, paddled from outside off towards deep
        backward square leg
  46.3 Petrie to Harris, (noball) one run, oversteps, first no-ball of the
        innings, full toss turned to midwicket, quick single taken
  46.3 Petrie to Astle, one run, Astle can only cross-bat slog it from the
        creaseline outside off, dragging it towards wide mid on, as the
        keeper's standing up
  46.4 Petrie to Harris, legbye: one run, tries to sweep, into the pad,
        quick run taken as it drops away on the leg side of the pitch,
        appeal by Petrie ignored by umpire Quested
  46.5 Petrie to Astle, one run, full ball, dug out down towards mid on
       Astle must be eyeing up his domestic one-day best of 131, scored
        against the same opposition, in Wellington back in 1995-96
  46.6 Petrie to Harris, one run, full toss swung away down to long on,
        bringing up the Canterbury 250 off 283 balls in 195 minutes

End of over 47 (11 runs) Canterbury 250/3 (RR: 5.32)
RG Petrie 8-0-51-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CZ Harris 10* (21b) NJ Astle 122* (153b 11x4 2x6)

       Hitchcock returns, to bowl the final two overs from the Port Hills
        End, now that Kennedy has bowled out his 10
  47.1 Hitchcock to Harris, two runs, clever nurdle from Harris, turned it
        straight to vacant square leg, easy two taken inside the circle
  47.2 Hitchcock to Harris, one run, pick up pull shot, a Harris special,
        but Bell is down at deep backward square leg, the ball dips short
        of him, Bell drops it as he dove forward trying to scoop it from
        above the ground
       now he gets up looking worse for wear, suspected dislocated finger
        and he's assisted off the field in a bit of discomfort
  47.3 Hitchcock to Astle, OUT: cracking shot, but he pulls it straight
        down the throat of Kennedy hiding down at long on, and Astle's
        innings ends just 15 balls short of duration the entire Canterbury
        innings, and falls 9 short of his best score

       Canterbury 253/4, Partnership of 42
       NJ Astle  c Kennedy b Hitchcock  122 (154b 11x4 2x6)
       CZ Harris 13* (23b) PA Hitchcock 8.3-0-32-2 (3w)

       Astle dominated the overall strike, facing 154 of the 286 balls
        bowled so far
       Darron Reekers the new batsman
  47.4 Hitchcock to Reekers, OUT: full ball down leg, struck on the toe,
        and he's given out lbw first ball! Hitchcock on a hat-trick all of
        a sudden, it looked a bit of a rough call, the stumps were rather
        exposed when he was struck, but he's gone

       Canterbury 253/5, Partnership of 0
       DJ Reekers  lbw b Hitchcock  0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
       CZ Harris 13* (23b) PA Hitchcock 8.4-0-32-3 (3w)

       Warren Wisneski comes out to face the hat-trick ball, captain Gary
        Stead still remains in the hutch
  47.5 Hitchcock to Wisneski, no run, defends from bat/pad back to the
        bowler
  47.6 Hitchcock to Wisneski, OUT: 3 wickets in 4 balls! Wisneski tries to
        turn one to leg, misses, deflects off his leg on to the stumps,
        and Hitchcock is tyring to unfurl a thrilling tale of his own

       Canterbury 253/6, Partnership of 0
       WA Wisneski  b Hitchcock  0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

End of over 48 (3 runs) Canterbury 253/6 (RR: 5.27)
PA Hitchcock 9-0-32-4 (3w) - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 13* (23b) 

       finally Gary Stead comes out to bat, at the non-striker's end, with
        2 overs to go and Canterbury in danger of losing the initiative
        somewhat
  48.1 Petrie to Harris, no run, full ball, squeezed back to the bowler,
        Petrie threatens to throw back at the stumps and Harris dives
        desperately back into his crease
  48.2 Petrie to Harris, no run, jams it back to Petrie, this time he does
        throw it over the stumps
  48.3 Petrie to Harris, one run, driven down to Bulfin at long on
  48.4 Petrie to Stead, one run, very full, Petrie bowling a good length
        in his final over here, Stead clamps right down on it, stopping it
        dead into the pitch at his feet, and they jog the single as the
        bowler is the closest fielder to it, some distance away
  48.5 Petrie to Harris, two runs, cracked down to Bulfin at long on,
        Stead sprints back to the danger end for the second and makes it
        well, Petrie dislodges the bails but he's judged to have made it
        home, just
  48.6 Petrie to Harris, FOUR, Harris goes and spoils Petrie's over, pick
        up pull shot over the leaping Wells at wide mid on

End of over 49 (8 runs) Canterbury 261/6 (RR: 5.33)
RG Petrie 9-0-59-0 (2w 1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
GR Stead 1* (1b) CZ Harris 20* (28b 1x4)

       Hitchcock to bowl the final over, Stead on strike
  49.1 Hitchcock to Stead, legbye: one run, down leg, tries to swing it
        away but into the pad, rebounds towards point for an easy leg bye
       the sightscreen is moved, Hitchcock coming around the wicket to the
        left-handed Harris
  49.2 Hitchcock to Harris, legbye: one run, tries to whip it through
        square leg, taken on the pad down fine on the leg side, another
        leg bye jogged
  49.3 Hitchcock to Stead, wide: no run, leaves a funny, loopy ball
        outside off, umpire Williams remains unmoved before Stead has a
        bit of a glance at him, and manages to coax out a belated wide
        call, Stead would've had a bit of egg on his face had he left a
        ball in the final over and it no
  49.3 Hitchcock to Stead, two runs, chipped down towards wide long on,
        easy couple
  49.4 Hitchcock to Stead, two runs, this time on the off side, past extra
        cover and Harris is lightning quick to get back for the second at
        the bowler's end
  49.5 Hitchcock to Stead, one run, good full ball, mistimed shot,
        squeezed up towards mid off
       last ball of the innings coming up, Harris on strike facing
        Hitchcock bowling back over the wicket again
  49.6 Hitchcock to Harris, one run, another good tight ball, can only
        turn it fine to Pasupati at short fine leg

End of over 50 (9 runs) Canterbury 270/6 (RR: 5.40)
PA Hitchcock 10-0-39-4 (4w) - Port Hills End
CZ Harris 21* (30b 1x4) GR Stead 6* (5b)

       a highly competitive 270 from their 50 overs on a difficult wicket,
        and may well be worth 300 on an 'average' wicket, but not one
        where it's impossible to score from
       the key for Wellington will be getting off to a flier while the
        ball is hard and new and travels quicker, and then the ability of
        Roger Twose to play a knock required in the situation, which he is
        one of the most capable of on a slow wicket
       Astle and Fleming's partnership dominated proceedings, judging the
        pace of the wicket well and picking off the frequently dished up
        bad deliveries whilst working the singles around for the remainder
        of the time, given the conditions
       the bowling really was a tale of two ends for the most part,
        Hitchcock, Walker and Kennedy were all impressive and difficult to
        get away (30 overs, 6-117 between them)
       but Bulfin, Petrie, Jefferson and Twose were woeful at best
        (sharing the remaining 20 overs and conceding 145 runs)
       Wellington will come out and chase 271 to win at a required run
        rate of 5.42 in just over 35 minutes time (at 5pm local time, 0400
        GMT)

Match State: Lunch

       the players return to the field, Wellington's decision as to who of
        the three openers to use is solved for them with Bell's injury,
        it's Chris Nevin to face Wisneski opening from the Port Hills End,
        and Grant Donaldson at the non-striker's end
   0.1 Wisneski to Nevin, one run, underway immediately, back on his
        stumps turning a waist hight ball away through to square leg
   0.2 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, defends to McMillan at cover
   0.3 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, beaten! pushing forward at a wide
        one going wider outside off stump, through to Hopkins on the
        bounce
   0.4 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, pushed up to Stead at mid off
   0.5 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, full ball chopped into the ground
        and up to Anderson at gully, has a shy back at the stumps as
        Donaldson is hovering outside of his crease, but gets back smartly
   0.6 Wisneski to Donaldson, FOUR, too short and punished, pulled hard
        and high over square leg, one bounce and over the rope

End of over 1 (5 runs) Wellington 5/0 (RR: 5.00 RRR: 266/49 = 5.43)
WA Wisneski 1-0-5-0 - Port Hills End
CJ Nevin 1* (1b) GT Donaldson 4* (5b 1x4)

       Ryan Burson to open the bowling from the Hadlee Stand End
   1.1 Burson to Nevin, (noball) no run, oversteps, full ball firmly
        driven up to Stead at mid off
   1.1 Burson to Nevin, no run, cut hard straight to Harris at point
   1.2 Burson to Nevin, no run, good straight ball, defends away to Harris
        again
       news from the Wellington camp is that Matthew Bell has a rather
        sore second finger of his left hand, and there'll be a lot of
        swelling tomorrow, and that's why he's not opening, but no
        indication that he won't bat down the order if required
   1.3 Burson to Nevin, no run, defends square on the off side
   1.4 Burson to Nevin, FOUR, cracking extra cover drive, powers past
        Reekers in the infield
   1.5 Burson to Nevin, FOUR, dear oh dear, Burson dishes him up the exact
        same ball, juicy half volley outside off, and played in exactly
        the same manner to exactly the same spot
   1.6 Burson to Nevin, no run, straighter ball on middle and leg, back
        and turns it to short midwicket

End of over 2 (9 runs) Wellington 14/0 (RR: 7.00 RRR: 257/48 = 5.35)
RD Burson 1-0-9-0 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 4* (5b 1x4) CJ Nevin 9* (8b 2x4)

   2.1 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, short ball relatively wide outside
        off, Donaldson has a little wave at it but can't get the wand to
        weave it's magic, through to the keeper, not exactly happy as no
        wide is signalled by umpire Williams
   2.2 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, pushed firmly to McMillan at cover
   2.3 Wisneski to Donaldson, two runs, short ball, pulled hard and high
        in the air again, but Reekers has been placed out at deep square
        leg, luckily it's played slightly forward of square, good sliding
        stop, keeps it to two
   2.4 Wisneski to Donaldson, (noball) FOUR, oversteps, shocking short
        ball and slapped down backward of gully to the boundary,
        Wellington off to a rollicking start thanks to woeful bowling,
        almost a carbon copy of the Canterbury start
   2.4 Wisneski to Donaldson, FOUR, terrible stuff from Wisneski, a short
        fine leg is in place, and he pitches a short ball down the leg
        side, easily pulled wide of the fielder and races to the rope
   2.5 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, firmly driven straight to McMillan
        cover
   2.6 Wisneski to Donaldson, one run, drops it away towards midwicket,
        easy single to retain the strike

End of over 3 (12 runs) Wellington 26/0 (RR: 8.67 RRR: 245/47 = 5.21)
WA Wisneski 2-0-17-0 (1nb) - Port Hills End
GT Donaldson 15* (12b 3x4) CJ Nevin 9* (8b 2x4)

       oh the farce continues! Burson comes in to start his new over,
        halfway through his delivery action he lets the ball go behind
        him, and hits umpire Quested - who's already been in the wars
        today, hit in the leg as well as the body now
   3.1 Burson to Donaldson, one run, firmly driven into the covers, quick
        single taken
   3.2 Burson to Nevin, no run, good length ball, forced into defence back
        to the bowler
   3.3 Burson to Nevin, FOUR, charges down the track early, Burson saw it
        and pitched it shorter, Nevin takes advantage and hammers it
        backward of point
   3.4 Burson to Nevin, no run, mistimed drive to Reekers at extra cover
   3.5 Burson to Nevin, no run, short of a length ball, angled in defence
        away to cover point
   3.6 Burson to Nevin, one run, jumping on the crease, tucks it away to
        McMillan at deep square leg

End of over 4 (6 runs) Wellington 32/0 (RR: 8.00 RRR: 239/46 = 5.20)
RD Burson 2-0-15-0 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 14* (13b 3x4) GT Donaldson 16* (13b 3x4)

   4.1 Wisneski to Nevin, no run, defends up to mid on
   4.2 Wisneski to Nevin, no run, full ball outside off, driven into the
        ground, up to mid off
   4.3 Wisneski to Nevin, no run, charges down the track, has a bit of a
        swing but doesn't get on to it at all, mistimed up to mid off
   4.4 Wisneski to Nevin, no run, drives hard square, a bit outside edgey
        away to Harris at backward point
   4.5 Wisneski to Nevin, one run, short ball, Donaldson is compulsed to
        pull in the air again, this time it's too uppish on him, top edges
        towards Reekers at deep square leg, but he's slow off the mark and
        he has to pull out of attempting the catch as it pitches short
   4.6 Wisneski to Donaldson, (noball) no run, oversteps, driven up to mid
        off
   4.6 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, driven away to McMillan fielding
        well in the covers

End of over 5 (2 runs) Wellington 34/0 (RR: 6.80 RRR: 237/45 = 5.27)
WA Wisneski 3-0-19-0 (2nb) - Port Hills End
CJ Nevin 15* (18b 3x4) GT Donaldson 16* (15b 3x4)

   5.1 Burson to Nevin, one run, strays on leg stump, turned away to
        McMillan at deep square leg
   5.2 Burson to Donaldson, one run, whipped off the toes through
        midwicket, they run the first one hard as McMillan has a bit more
        work in the outfield, does well to get to it and fire a return at
        the bowler's end and keep them at home for just the one
   5.3 Burson to Nevin, one run, cut down to third man
   5.4 Burson to Donaldson, no run, pushed to Fleming at short cover
   5.5 Burson to Donaldson, two runs, chipped in the air down wide of mid
        on, sharp chase and return by Doody to the bowler's end with
        Burson whipping off the bails nearly sees Nevin in trouble, but he
        dives him just safely
   5.6 Burson to Donaldson, no run, great slow yorker, had to readjust the
        big shot, digs it away square on the off side

End of over 6 (5 runs) Wellington 39/0 (RR: 6.50 RRR: 232/44 = 5.27)
RD Burson 3-0-20-0 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 17* (20b 3x4) GT Donaldson 19* (19b 3x4)

   6.1 Wisneski to Nevin, one run, worked off the hip through backward
        square leg, Reekers does well in the deep to field from squarer
        and keep it to one
   6.2 Wisneski to Donaldson, no run, pushed up towards mid off, McMillan
        in from extra cover to field
   6.3 Wisneski to Donaldson, SIX, short ball and Donaldson's on to it
        like a rocket, he likes it there, pulled high, wide and handsome
        over deep midwicket, 10 rows back into the No. 3 stand
   6.4 Wisneski to Donaldson, one run, digs out a full ball wide of mid
        off
   6.5 Wisneski to Nevin, FOUR, shocking ball, full toss slapped through
        extra cover, that brings up the Wellington 50 off 44 balls in 28
        minutes
   6.6 Wisneski to Nevin, one run, carved away to point, super fielding by
        Harris to dive and stop it then fire back a return from side on
        with such accuracy, can't prevent the single however

End of over 7 (13 runs) Wellington 52/0 (RR: 7.43 RRR: 219/43 = 5.09)
WA Wisneski 4-0-32-0 (2nb) - Port Hills End
CJ Nevin 23* (23b 4x4) GT Donaldson 26* (22b 3x4 1x6)

   7.1 Burson to Nevin, legbye: one run, down the leg side, off the pad to
        short fine leg, quick run taken as Burson gives a brief pointless
        appeal
   7.2 Burson to Donaldson, no run, good yorker outside off, jams down on
        it to Astle at short midwicket
   7.3 Burson to Donaldson, FOUR, the onslaught continues unabated,
        smacked across the line through wide mid on
       there's about to be a double bowling change after this over, one
        feels
   7.4 Burson to Donaldson, one run, short of a length ball driven on the
        up, up to Stead at mid off and the run with the shot, the throw
        hits direct but Nevin is safely home
   7.5 Burson to Nevin, one run, short ball, pulled in the air down to
        McMillan at deep square leg, he seemed a little unsighted as he
        ended up stopping it with his legs on the half volley
   7.6 Burson to Donaldson, legbye: one run, pulls but misses, into the
        pad and drops away square on the leg side

End of over 8 (8 runs) Wellington 60/0 (RR: 7.50 RRR: 211/42 = 5.02)
RD Burson 4-0-26-0 (1nb) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 31* (26b 4x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 24* (25b 4x4)

       and as predicted, a change is made, Nathan Astle into the attack
        rather early, replacing Wisneski after a spell of 0-32 from 4
        overs at the Port Hills End
       a long delay in proceedings as Stead, Astle and Fleming have a long
        conference about field placements before finally agreeing on
        something
   8.1 Astle to Donaldson, no run, driven to Stead at extra cover
   8.2 Astle to Donaldson, no run, driven uppishly, awayt to McMillan at
        point
   8.3 Astle to Donaldson, no run, mistimed push up to Wisneski at mid off
   8.4 Astle to Donaldson, no run, pushed up towards wide mid off, Stead
        darts in from extra cover to put doubt in the batsmen's minds as
        to whether to sneak the run
   8.5 Astle to Donaldson, no run, superb diving save by Stead at extra
        cover prevents a certain four as it was cracked hard into the off
        side
   8.6 Astle to Donaldson, one run, driven up towards mid on, quick single
        taken with the shot

End of over 9 (1 run) Wellington 61/0 (RR: 6.78 RRR: 210/41 = 5.12)
NJ Astle 1-0-1-0 - Port Hills End
GT Donaldson 32* (32b 4x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 24* (25b 4x4)

       and as predicted again, it is indeed a double bowling change, Chris
        Harris replaces Burson after a spell of 0-26 from 4 overs at the
        Hadlee Stand End
   9.1 Harris to Donaldson, no run, first ball has a wild slash outside
        off, thick outside edge flies towards Anderson at gully, but it
        falls just short
   9.2 Harris to Donaldson, one run, driven down to Burson at long off
   9.3 Harris to Nevin, no run, pushed straight to short cover
   9.4 Harris to Nevin, no run, cut hard into the ground and away to
        backward point
   9.5 Harris to Nevin, one run, overtossed, dips as a low full toss wide
        outside off, Nevin only manages to get it away for one, clunking
        it down to Burson at wide long off
   9.6 Harris to Donaldson, FOUR, well chipped over wide midwicket, and
        into the gap in the deep, which there tends to be a lot of, when
        you're still well entrenched inside the first 15 overs

End of over 10 (6 runs) Wellington 67/0 (RR: 6.70 RRR: 204/40 = 5.10)
CZ Harris 1-0-6-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 25* (28b 4x4) GT Donaldson 37* (35b 5x4 1x6)

  10.1 Astle to Nevin, no run, driven hard back along the off side of the
        pitch, Astle partially stops it, to mid off
  10.2 Astle to Nevin, FOUR, too much width, perfectly placed back cut
        between point and backward point
  10.3 Astle to Nevin, no run, pushed towards McMillan fielding at point
  10.4 Astle to Nevin, no run, stroked up towards mid off
  10.5 Astle to Nevin, no run, driven firmly up to wide mid off, Donaldson
        eager to get a run but is sent back wisely by Nevin
  10.6 Astle to Nevin, one run, pulled along the carpet down to Reekers at
        deep square leg

End of over 11 (5 runs) Wellington 72/0 (RR: 6.55 RRR: 199/39 = 5.10)
NJ Astle 2-0-6-0 - Port Hills End
CJ Nevin 30* (34b 5x4) GT Donaldson 37* (35b 5x4 1x6)

  11.1 Harris to Nevin, legbye: one run, turned around the corner to short
        fine leg from the pad
  11.2 Harris to Donaldson, no run, good holding floater outside off,
        waits on it, angling away to gully
  11.3 Harris to Donaldson, no run, pokes forward, a bit of a zipper from
        the pitch, takes a hand off the bat as he jabs it to Fleming at
        short cover
  11.4 Harris to Donaldson, no run, driven hard but can't get it past
        Fleming at short cover
  11.5 Harris to Donaldson, no run, gets it wide of Fleming this time, but
        Stead's at cover behind him
  11.6 Harris to Donaldson, no run, slow ball on leg stump, turned away to
        short fine leg, the first maiden over of the innings, much needed
        by the home side

End of over 12 (1 run, maiden) Wellington 73/0 (RR: 6.08 RRR: 198/38 = 5.21)
CZ Harris 2-1-6-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 30* (35b 5x4) GT Donaldson 37* (40b 5x4 1x6)

  12.1 Astle to Nevin, no run, forward, nudges away to McMillan across at
        cover point
  12.2 Astle to Nevin, no run, full and widish outside off, swipes it past
        Fleming at short cover, but no Wisneski at wide mid off
  12.3 Astle to Nevin, one run, slices a cut shot low in the air towards
        backward point, quick single taken, Nevin is slow to respond to
        the call and has to scramble to the bowler's end, Harris' throw
        isn't quite strong enough to challenge
  12.4 Astle to Donaldson, no run, pulled straight down to mid on, Nevin
        has to get back into his crease, no run there sonny
  12.5 Astle to Donaldson, no run, very slow ball, has to defend it away
        on the leg side
  12.6 Astle to Donaldson, no run, driven into the covers

End of over 13 (1 run) Wellington 74/0 (RR: 5.69 RRR: 197/37 = 5.32)
NJ Astle 3-0-7-0 - Port Hills End
CJ Nevin 31* (38b 5x4) GT Donaldson 37* (43b 5x4 1x6)

       Astle and Harris starting to slowly turn the screws, though there's
        still no shortage of the big money shots being attempted
       just 14 off the last 5 overs after 60 came from the first 8
  13.1 Harris to Nevin, no run, driven to Fleming at short cover
  13.2 Harris to Nevin, no run, turned away to Astle darting across to
        field from short midwicket
  13.3 Harris to Nevin, no run, slow floater, defends to Fleming at short
        cover
  13.4 Harris to Nevin, no run, shuffles across outside leg stump quickly
        to free the arms, slashing cut but Reekers is sharp to field at
        point
  13.5 Harris to Nevin, no run, forward, pushed to Fleming
  13.6 Harris to Nevin, one run, very short ball sits up, Nevin leans
        right back into it but his strong pull picks out the lone fielder
        in the leg side deep, McMillan

End of over 14 (1 run) Wellington 75/0 (RR: 5.36 RRR: 196/36 = 5.44)
CZ Harris 3-1-7-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 32* (44b 5x4) GT Donaldson 37* (43b 5x4 1x6)

  14.1 Astle to Nevin, no run, tries to whip it through square leg,
        hurries on into the pad and away square on the off side
  14.2 Astle to Nevin, FOUR, short and width outside off again, that's
        where Astle will be forever punished if he keeps pitching it
        there, the field just stay still and watch it thunder into the
        cover boundary
  14.3 Astle to Nevin, no run, stroked firmly but Fleming is equal to it
        with a reflex grab at shot cover
  14.4 Astle to Nevin, no run, cut to Harris at backward point
  14.5 Astle to Nevin, FOUR, utterly terrible ball, Astle tries the slower
        ball, looked like a leggie out of the back of the hand, sat up as
        a loopy full toss outside leg stump and is easily dispatched wide
        of short fine leg
  14.6 Astle to Nevin, FOUR, another shocker, pulled hard forward of deep
        midwicket, and a 13 run over jolts Wellington back into the
        driving seat again

End of over 15 (12 runs) Wellington 87/0 (RR: 5.80 RRR: 184/35 = 5.26)
NJ Astle 4-0-19-0 - Port Hills End
GT Donaldson 37* (43b 5x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 44* (50b 8x4)

       Darron Reekers replaces Harris at the Hadlee Stand End after a
        spell of 3 overs for 7 runs
  15.1 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, angling on leg, struck on the pad
        trying to work it away
  15.2 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, pushed straight to Stead at cover
  15.3 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, full ball, driven firmly straight
        back down the wicket, Nevin quickly back into his crease as
        Reekers fields off his own bowling
  15.4 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, short of a length ball, short arm
        jabbed away to Burson at deep cover point
  15.5 Reekers to Nevin, no run, short and wide outside off stump, Nevin
        slashes and misses, just beats the outside edge through to Hopkins
  15.6 Reekers to Nevin, one run, forward, square driven away to Burson at
        deep cover

End of over 16 (2 runs) Wellington 89/0 (RR: 5.56 RRR: 182/34 = 5.35)
DJ Reekers 1-0-2-0 - Hadlee Stand End
CJ Nevin 45* (52b 8x4) GT Donaldson 38* (47b 5x4 1x6)

       another double bowling change as Stead searches for the
        breakthrough, this pair off to a fantastic start, exactly what was
        required to launch a serious challenge to the target of 271, left
        arm spinner Carl Anderson replaces Astle at the Port Hills End
  16.1 Anderson to Nevin, no run, driven away to Stead in the covers
  16.2 Anderson to Nevin, no run, driven hard back down the pitch,
        Anderson dives to his left to partially stop it, 'ooh's from the
        crowd but it wasn't a catching chance
  16.3 Anderson to Nevin, one run, square driven away to McMillan at deep
        point
  16.4 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, driven down to long on
  16.5 Anderson to Nevin, no run, dabbed to backward point
  16.6 Anderson to Nevin, no run, driven back down the wicket, Anderson
        fields low to his left

End of over 17 (2 runs) Wellington 91/0 (RR: 5.35 RRR: 180/33 = 5.45)
CJ Anderson 1-0-2-0 - Port Hills End
GT Donaldson 39* (48b 5x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 46* (57b 8x4)

  17.1 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, firmly clipped up to Doody at mid
        on, quick run taken with the shot
  17.2 Reekers to Nevin, one run, lovely late cut, down to wide third man
  17.3 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, short of a length ball, Donaldson
        uses his height to drive over it, down to Fleming at wide long off
  17.4 Reekers to Nevin, one run, cut to Burson at deep point
  17.5 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, tries to work it down leg, struck on
        the pad, huge appeal from Reekers alone is ignored by umpire
        Quested, the ball rolls away on the leg side towards the keeper
  17.6 Reekers to Donaldson, wide: no run, full and wide down the leg
        side, can't catch up to it
  17.6 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, driven down to Fleming at long off

End of over 18 (6 runs) Wellington 97/0 (RR: 5.39 RRR: 174/32 = 5.44)
DJ Reekers 2-0-8-0 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 42* (52b 5x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 48* (59b 8x4)

  18.1 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, full toss driven down to long on
  18.2 Anderson to Nevin, one run, cut into the ground square on the off
        side, short of the point fielder, enables a quick single
  18.3 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, driven straight to Harris at wide
        mid on
  18.4 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, flat ball, picks out Harris again
  18.5 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, flighted up, leading edgey stuff
        from Donaldson, to Stead at extra cover
  18.6 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, flighted full toss, down to long on
        and that brings up the Wellington 100 (and 100 partnership) off
        117 balls in 65 minutes

End of over 19 (3 runs) Wellington 100/0 (RR: 5.26 RRR: 171/31 = 5.52)
CJ Anderson 2-0-5-0 - Port Hills End
GT Donaldson 44* (57b 5x4 1x6) CJ Nevin 49* (60b 8x4)

       Wellington couldn't have really asked for a better start, this pair
        look confident and are working it about well after the initial
        flurry which saw 14 boundaries struck inside the first hour's play
  19.1 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, full ball struck down to Fleming at
        long off
  19.2 Reekers to Nevin, no run, back cut to Harris at backward point
  19.3 Reekers to Nevin, OUT: and the breakthrough comes! not the best
        ball with which to get a wicket, but it's done the trick, shorter
        and wider, Nevin cut hard but didn't keep it down quite enough,
        Harris takes a super diving catch, scooping it up just above the
        ground

       Wellington 101/1, Partnership of 101
       CJ Nevin  c Harris b Reekers  49 (62b 8x4 0x6)
       GT Donaldson 45* (58b 5x4 1x6) DJ Reekers 2.3-0-9-1 (1w)

       the fall of wicket provides an opportune time for a drinks break
       Roger Twose is the new batsman and makes his way to have a chat
        with Donaldson in the meantime
       still, a fine century opening stand has been put on, and has set
        the path clear for the chasing expert Twose to try and guide them
        to, and through the home straight, even if there's still a good 30
        and a bit overs left in the match!
  19.4 Reekers to Twose, no run, short of a length ball, has Twose hopping
        on his crease in defence to Stead at midwicket
  19.5 Reekers to Twose, no run, back in defence, to Stead again
  19.6 Reekers to Twose, no run, shuffles across towards off stump, struck
        flush on the pad by one that hurries on to him, a little
        excitement, but well outside off stump

End of over 20 (1 run) Wellington 101/1 (RR: 5.05 RRR: 170/30 = 5.67)
DJ Reekers 3-0-9-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 45* (58b 5x4 1x6) RG Twose 0* (3b)

  20.1 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, driven straight to short  cover
  20.2 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, turned away through to Burson at
        deep square leg
  20.3 Anderson to Twose, no run, leaning forward, has to wait for it to
        come on, defends on the leg side
  20.4 Anderson to Twose, no run, pushed up towards wide mid on
  20.5 Anderson to Twose, no run, similar again, Stead roaming there to
        field again
  20.6 Anderson to Twose, one run, driven just past Anderson, down to long
        off

End of over 21 (2 runs) Wellington 103/1 (RR: 4.90 RRR: 168/29 = 5.79)
CJ Anderson 3-0-7-0 - Port Hills End
RG Twose 1* (7b) GT Donaldson 46* (60b 5x4 1x6)

  21.1 Reekers to Twose, one run, nudged away through to midwicket
  21.2 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, firmly stroked back down the pitch,
        Reekers tries to field as Twose gets in the way
  21.3 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, forced up to Doody at mid on, very
        dicey single taken with the shot, the throw misses however, had it
        hit direct Donaldson was struggling
  21.4 Reekers to Twose, one run, worked through square leg, Burson with a
        bit of ground to cover, whips in a throw quickly to prevent them
        coming back for two, despite it being a rather wayward return it
        did the trick
  21.5 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, clipped straight to Astle at
        midwicket
  21.6 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, driven to Burson at deep cover point

End of over 22 (4 runs) Wellington 107/1 (RR: 4.86 RRR: 164/28 = 5.86)
DJ Reekers 4-0-13-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 48* (64b 5x4 1x6) RG Twose 3* (9b)

  22.1 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, full ball, driven down to Wisneski
        at long off
  22.2 Anderson to Twose, OUT: a big wicket! Twose is driving at a full
        ball outside off stump, drags an inside edge back along the ground
        and on to his stumps, huge delight within the Canterbury camp,
        Anderson leaps in the air

       Wellington 108/2, Partnership of 7
       RG Twose  b Anderson  3 (10b 0x4 0x6)
       GT Donaldson 49* (65b 5x4 1x6) CJ Anderson 3.2-0-8-1

       Twose was exactly the man with the nous, the experience, the
        nurdling ability to succeed on this type of wicket, now he's been
        removed, Canterbury will want to really put the clamps on
       the asking rate is now pushing up to 5.9, so in part they are
        starting to climb back on top of this one
       Jason Wells the new batsman
  22.3 Anderson to Wells, no run, defends back to the bowler
  22.4 Anderson to Wells, one run, nudged away towards vacant midwicket,
        easy single jogged to get off the mark
  22.5 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, driven up on the leg side, Harris
        across from wide mid on to field
  22.6 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, forward defensive back to the bowler

End of over 23 (2 runs) Wellington 109/2 (RR: 4.74 RRR: 162/27 = 6.00)
CJ Anderson 4-0-9-1 - Port Hills End
JD Wells 1* (2b) GT Donaldson 49* (67b 5x4 1x6)

  23.1 Reekers to Wells, one run, guided away down to third man
  23.2 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, smartly clipped off the back foot up
        towards wide mid off, quick single with the shot and that's a fine
        50 for Donaldson off 68 balls in 82 minutes, 5x4, 1x6
  23.3 Reekers to Wells, no run, tries to defend on leg, it was too
        straight for him however, into the pad, huge appeal for lbw from
        Reekers turned down
  23.4 Reekers to Wells, no run, pushes away a shorter one from his body,
        to Harris at backward point
  23.5 Reekers to Wells, one run, full ball, driving outside off, thick
        outside edge along the ground to straightish third man
  23.6 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, full, driven into the ground and away
        to short cover

End of over 24 (3 runs) Wellington 112/2 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 159/26 = 6.12)
DJ Reekers 5-0-16-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
JD Wells 3* (6b) GT Donaldson 50* (69b 5x4 1x6)

  24.1 Anderson to Wells, one run, turned down to long leg
  24.2 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, driven down to Wisneski at long off
  24.3 Anderson to Wells, one run, turned backward of square leg, easy
        single
  24.4 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, played up to Harris at wide mid on
  24.5 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, same again
  24.6 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, reaching for the drive outside off,
        straight to Stead at short cover

End of over 25 (3 runs) Wellington 115/2 (RR: 4.60 RRR: 156/25 = 6.24)
CJ Anderson 5-0-12-1 - Port Hills End
JD Wells 5* (8b) GT Donaldson 51* (73b 5x4 1x6)

       Wellington 115/2 at the halfway stage requiring 156 from the other
        half, Canterbury were 128/1 at the same stage
  25.1 Reekers to Wells, no run, shortish ball, forced off the back foot
        up to wide mid on
  25.2 Reekers to Wells, one run, short ball sits up outside off, tamely
        patted away to Burson at deep point
  25.3 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, worked from off stump away to
        McMillan at deep midwicket
  25.4 Reekers to Wells, one run, stroked up wide of Doody at mid on, easy
        run with the shot
  25.5 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, full toss, driven down to Fleming at
        long off
  25.6 Reekers to Wells, OUT: and Reekers strikes again, fires in a fast,
        straight ball on middle and leg, traps Wells on the back foot and
        the finger is raised quickly by umpire Quested

       Wellington 119/3, Partnership of 11
       JD Wells  lbw b Reekers  7 (12b 0x4 0x6)

End of over 26 (4 runs) Wellington 119/3 (RR: 4.58 RRR: 152/24 = 6.33)
DJ Reekers 6-0-20-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 53* (75b 5x4 1x6) 

       things are starting to crumble for Wellington, having now lost 3
        wickets for 18 in the space of 6.3 overs, and the asking rate has
        ballooned out to 6.29 per over
       Richard Petrie the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the
        wicket fell off the last ball of the previous over
  26.1 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, turned down to long leg
  26.2 Anderson to Petrie, no run, flat ball outside off, Petrie cuts down
        reaching for it, plays over the top, Hopkins motions the practice
        stumping
  26.3 Anderson to Petrie, no run, tries to fiddle one on middle and leg,
        into the pad, appeal from Fleming at slip only
  26.4 Anderson to Petrie, one run, drops it away square on the leg side,
        quick single taken, the throw and subsequent whipping off of the
        bails by Hopkins can't beat Donaldson home
  26.5 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, defends away to extra cover
  26.6 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, sweeps, rebounds up off the boot,
        Hopkins dashes towards the off side of the pitch and stretches to
        catch the rebound, but no bat in it

End of over 27 (2 runs) Wellington 121/3 (RR: 4.48 RRR: 150/23 = 6.52)
CJ Anderson 6-0-14-1 - Port Hills End
RG Petrie 1* (3b) GT Donaldson 54* (78b 5x4 1x6)

  27.1 Reekers to Petrie, one run, pushes forward outside off, through
        cover point
  27.2 Reekers to Donaldson, no run, driven back to the bowler
  27.3 Reekers to Donaldson, one run, slow full toss, struck on the foot
        down the leg side, massive appeal from Reekers for lbw, but no
        signal from the umpire, so it must've just got a little bit of bat
        on it, looked a little leg sidish, but no more so than the Wells
        lbw previously
  27.4 Reekers to Petrie, no run, defends to Stead in the covers
  27.5 Reekers to Petrie, FOUR, charges down the pitch, slaps it
        forcefully past the diving Fleming at mid off, super shot
  27.6 Reekers to Petrie, no run, driven to extra cover

End of over 28 (6 runs) Wellington 127/3 (RR: 4.54 RRR: 144/22 = 6.55)
DJ Reekers 7-0-26-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 55* (80b 5x4 1x6) RG Petrie 6* (7b 1x4)

  28.1 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, advances, but can't work it anywhere
        else but straight to Harris at wide mid on
  28.2 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, back, cuts hard straight into the
        ground, bounces up short of the off side fielders square, quick
        single taken
  28.3 Anderson to Petrie, no run, driven hard back along the deck,
        Anderson stops it between his legs
  28.4 Anderson to Petrie, one run, slower ball sits up, turned down to
        Reekers at long leg
  28.5 Anderson to Donaldson, FOUR, down the track, Donaldson lofts it
        well high over wide mid on, and too wide for Doody to field from
        long on
  28.6 Anderson to Donaldson, FOUR, and he does it again! *just* getting
        it over Harris at mid on this time, hit more powerfully than the
        previous one however

End of over 29 (10 runs) Wellington 137/3 (RR: 4.72 RRR: 134/21 = 6.38)
CJ Anderson 7-0-24-1 - Port Hills End
RG Petrie 7* (9b 1x4) GT Donaldson 64* (84b 7x4 1x6)

       useful last couple of overs for Wellington, 16 from them, certainly
        not out of this game yet
       Harris returns, replacing Reekers at the Hadlee Stand End after a
        spell of 2-26 from 7 overs
  29.1 Harris to Petrie, one run, driven down to Astle at long on
  29.2 Harris to Donaldson, no run, floated up, pushed back along the
        pitch to Harris, who fakes a sharp back flick towards the stumps
        behind him, making sure Petrie is back in his crease
  29.3 Harris to Donaldson, one run, turned down to Wisneski at long leg
  29.4 Harris to Petrie, no run, floated up, forward defensive, from
        bat/pad square on the off side
  29.5 Harris to Petrie, one run, another flighted ball, Doody can't quite
        get in and stop it completely as it's driven on the leg side of
        the pitch, they amble a single as he sprints back to tidy up
        towards mid on
  29.6 Harris to Donaldson, no run, pushed on the off side, Harris across
        to field himself

End of over 30 (3 runs) Wellington 140/3 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 131/20 = 6.55)
CZ Harris 4-1-10-0 - Hadlee Stand End
RG Petrie 9* (12b 1x4) GT Donaldson 65* (87b 7x4 1x6)

  30.1 Anderson to Petrie, no run, tries a paddle/sweep, too flat and
        quick outside off, from the pad away to backward point
  30.2 Anderson to Petrie, no run, played straight to Stead at extra cover
  30.3 Anderson to Petrie, no run, forward, defends up towards Stead
        again, Anderson scoots across to assist too
  30.4 Anderson to Petrie, no run, forward, nudges it wide of Harris at
        mid on, but Petrie is hesitant and watches Harris dart to it and
        fire back a return without pushing for the tight run
  30.5 Anderson to Petrie, legbye: one run, tries to sweep, from the pad
        and away towards short third man
  30.6 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, leans forward, prods it backward of
        point, quick single taken, throw to the bowler's end misses

End of over 31 (2 runs) Wellington 142/3 (RR: 4.58 RRR: 129/19 = 6.79)
CJ Anderson 8-0-25-1 - Port Hills End
GT Donaldson 66* (88b 7x4 1x6) RG Petrie 9* (17b 1x4)

  31.1 Harris to Donaldson, one run, ungainly wee false chip in the air on
        the leg side, drops just short and wide of Stead at wide mid on,
        down towards Astle at long on, Harris had Donaldson in some
        confusion there
  31.2 Harris to Petrie, no run, driven straight to Fleming at extra cover
  31.3 Harris to Petrie, no run, Petrie squared around in defence, almost
        a leading edge for a return catch, bounces halfway back towards
        Harris
  31.4 Harris to Petrie, no run, driven to Stead at wide mid on
  31.5 Harris to Petrie, one run, on the back foot, forced down to Astle
        at long on
  31.6 Harris to Donaldson, one run, flighted up, turned away to vacant
        forward square leg

End of over 32 (3 runs) Wellington 145/3 (RR: 4.53 RRR: 126/18 = 7.00)
CZ Harris 5-1-13-0 - Hadlee Stand End
GT Donaldson 68* (90b 7x4 1x6) RG Petrie 10* (21b 1x4)

  32.1 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, chopped into the ground, Astle up
        from backward point to field forward of square
  32.2 Anderson to Donaldson, one run, driven very straight down the
        ground past the bowler, Doody does well to get around from long on
        and field before they think of a second
  32.3 Anderson to Petrie, no run, on the back foot, cracks it hard back
        down the pitch, Anderson only stops it partially, but it rebounds
        away towards Harris at mid on so no runs conceded
  32.4 Anderson to Petrie, two runs, sweeps nicely fine, Reekers gets to
        it just inside the rope at fine leg
  32.5 Anderson to Petrie, one run, cut away to McMillan at deep point
  32.6 Anderson to Donaldson, no run, driven firmly on the leg side,
        Harris with an athletic tumble and roll save from mid on

End of over 33 (4 runs) Wellington 149/3 (RR: 4.52 RRR: 122/17 = 7.18)
CJ Anderson 9-0-29-1 - Port Hills End
RG Petrie 13* (24b 1x4) GT Donaldson 69* (93b 7x4 1x6)

  33.1 Harris to Petrie, one run, funny chip shot, saw it was a lot slower
        than the rest, lobs it safely over and wide of the bowler, two-
        thirds of the way down to Reekers at long off
  33.2 Harris to Donaldson, no run, driven straight to Stead at mid on
  33.3 Harris to Donaldson, two runs, well worked to vacant square leg
        short of any fielders, quick second taken as the deep fielder has
        to race in to it
  33.4 Harris to Donaldson, OUT: Harris strikes, big wicket again as the
        established Donaldson departs after a fine innings of 71, fished
        at one just outside off, feathered a slight edge through to
        Hopkins who takes a smart catch

       Wellington 152/4, Partnership of 33
       GT Donaldson  c Hopkins b Harris  71 (96b 7x4 1x6)
       RG Petrie 14* (25b 1x4) CZ Harris 5.4-1-16-1

       Paul Hitchcock the new batsman
  33.5 Harris to Hitchcock, no run, driven straight back to Harris
  33.6 Harris to Hitchcock, no run, pushed on the off side, Harris and
        Fleming converge to field

End of over 34 (3 runs) Wellington 152/4 (RR: 4.47 RRR: 119/16 = 7.44)
CZ Harris 6-1-16-1 - Hadlee Stand End
RG Petrie 14* (25b 1x4) PA Hitchcock 0* (2b)

  34.1 Anderson to Petrie, one run, sweeps down to Reekers at deep
        backward square leg
  34.2 Anderson to Hitchcock, one run, opens the blade, quick single to
        Fleming at short third man
  34.3 Anderson to Petrie, one run, driven down to Doody at straight long
        on
  34.4 Anderson to Hitchcock, FOUR, Hitchcock picks the gap perfectly,
        sweeping from off stump and getting it away between Reekers and
        Burson in the leg side deep
  34.5 Anderson to Hitchcock, one run, dabbed towards Astle at point,
        hesitation from Hitchcock but Petrie loudly calls him through, in
        the end a comfortable enough run
  34.6 Anderson to Petrie, one run, driven down to long off, just past the
        outstretched left hand of Anderson

End of over 35 (9 runs) Wellington 161/4 (RR: 4.60 RRR: 110/15 = 7.33)
CJ Anderson 10-0-38-1 - Port Hills End
RG Petrie 17* (28b 1x4) PA Hitchcock 6* (5b 1x4)

       that completes Anderson's spell, 1-38 from 10, bowling well in
        tandem with Reekers, together they turned the game around after
        Wellington threatened to coast towards the target
  35.1 Harris to Petrie, one run, swept down to Doody at deep backward
        square leg
  35.2 Harris to Hitchcock, one run, funny chip shot, flies from the top
        edge just over Stead at point, lucky escape for Hitchcock
  35.3 Harris to Petrie, no run, driven back to the bowler
  35.4 Harris to Petrie, one run, deliberately chipped in the air down
        towards Astle at long on
  35.5 Harris to Hitchcock, no run, forward, opens the face angling it
        away towards backward point, Petrie eager for a run but two
        fielders in that region prevent it
  35.6 Harris to Hitchcock, bye: one run, beaten! fiddles at one outside
        off, Hopkins fails to glove cleanly and it rebounds away towards
        short fine leg, Harris jumped up excitedly but the signal is byes
        so it wasn't a dropped chance

End of over 36 (4 runs) Wellington 165/4 (RR: 4.58 RRR: 106/14 = 7.57)
CZ Harris 7-1-19-1 - Hadlee Stand End
PA Hitchcock 7* (8b 1x4) RG Petrie 19* (31b 1x4)

       Astle returns, replacing Anderson at the Port Hills End who's
        bowled out his allotment
  36.1 Astle to Hitchcock, no run, driven straight to Fleming at wide mid
        on
  36.2 Astle to Hitchcock, no run, wild swing across the line on bended
        knee, plays right over the top of it, through to Hopkins
  36.3 Astle to Hitchcock, one run, driven off the back foot down to Doody
        at long on
  36.4 Astle to Petrie, one run, driven down to long on again
  36.5 Astle to Hitchcock, no run, cut away into the covers, they set off
        for the run but then Petrie sent Hitchcock back, but he wasn't
        quick enough to beat the Harris return throw at the keeper's end
        and he's found short

       Wellington 167/5, Partnership of 15
       PA Hitchcock  run out (Harris)  8 (12b 1x4 0x6)

       Matthew Bell makes an appearance at the batting crease at last,
        down at number 7
  36.6 Astle to Bell, one run, inside edge on to pad and away to short
        third man, dawdles the run to get off the mark and has to speed up
        as the throw goes to the bowler's end, appeal for lbw came from
        other fielders but Astle didn't, seeming to notice the nick

End of over 37 (3 runs) Wellington 168/5 (RR: 4.54 RRR: 103/13 = 7.92)
NJ Astle 5-0-22-0 - Port Hills End
MD Bell 1* (1b) RG Petrie 20* (32b 1x4)

  37.1 Harris to Bell, wide: no run, sweeps and misses, but it's well wide
        down the leg side
  37.1 Harris to Bell, no run, good flighted straight delivery, into the
        pad brings a big appeal for lbw from Harris but he's forward
  37.2 Harris to Bell, one run, paddle/sweeps down to long leg
  37.3 Harris to Petrie, OUT: Petrie tries his darndest to outdo McMillan
        in the silly dismissal stakes, a nothing shot, a half-hearted
        sweep/flick and lobs it in the air, Stead takes a good catch
        diving at midwicket and Wellington further lose their way

       Wellington 170/6, Partnership of 3
       RG Petrie  c Stead b Harris  20 (33b 1x4 0x6)
       MD Bell 2* (3b) CZ Harris 7.3-1-21-2 (1w)

       Carl Bulfin the new batsman as the visitors are starting to stare
        down the barrel now, the asking rate is up towards 8s
  37.4 Harris to Bulfin, one run, full toss chipped down towards Astle at
        long on
  37.5 Harris to Bell, no run, forward, pushed straight to Fleming at
        extra cover
  37.6 Harris to Bell, no run, crouches for the sweep, but it takes
        forever to come on, from glove into the pad and away to point

End of over 38 (3 runs) Wellington 171/6 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 100/12 = 8.33)
CZ Harris 8-1-22-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
CE Bulfin 1* (1b) MD Bell 2* (5b)

  38.1 Astle to Bulfin, no run, excellent tight ball seaming in, Bulfin
        just manages to chop it away to extra cover
  38.2 Astle to Bulfin, one run, full ball driven down wide of extra
        cover, Wisneski does well fielding down at wide long off, Bell
        turned looking for a quick second but the throw is in quickly
  38.3 Astle to Bell, no run, angled away to Harris at backward point
  38.4 Astle to Bell, one run, does it again, this time played slightly
        short of Harris, they sneak a quick run as the throw doesn't hit
        direct
  38.5 Astle to Bulfin, OUT: the capitulation continues, Bulfin is
        deceived by an Astle slower ball, chips it straight in the air,
        and starts walking back to the dressing room before the ball falls
        safely into Stead's hands at extra cover

       Wellington 173/7, Partnership of 3
       CE Bulfin  c Stead b Astle  2 (4b 0x4 0x6)
       MD Bell 3* (7b) NJ Astle 5.5-0-24-1

       Mark Jefferson the new batsman
  38.6 Astle to Jefferson, no run, straight ball, defended back to the
        bowler

End of over 39 (2 runs) Wellington 173/7 (RR: 4.44 RRR: 98/11 = 8.91)
NJ Astle 6-0-24-1 - Port Hills End
MD Bell 3* (7b) MR Jefferson 0* (1b)

  39.1 Harris to Bell, no run, defends quietly towards Fleming at cover
  39.2 Harris to Bell, one run, driven down to Reekers at long off
  39.3 Harris to Jefferson, no run, props forward in defence, waits for it
        to come on, it finally arrives and is simply defended at his feet
  39.4 Harris to Jefferson, one run, swept down to Wisneski at deep
        backward square leg
  39.5 Harris to Bell, no run, forward defensive, drops it down in close
        on the leg side
  39.6 Harris to Bell, no run, defends back to the bowler

End of over 40 (2 runs) Wellington 175/7 (RR: 4.38 RRR: 96/10 = 9.60)
CZ Harris 9-1-24-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
MR Jefferson 1* (3b) MD Bell 4* (11b)

  40.1 Astle to Jefferson, one run, forward, poked away to Harris at cover
        point, quick single taken
  40.2 Astle to Bell, no run, back on his crease, turned straight to
        Fleming at wide mid on
  40.3 Astle to Bell, no run, shuffles to leg to make himself some room,
        but it's dead straight, can only dab it away to Harris at backward
        point
  40.4 Astle to Bell, wide: no run, big looping delivery down leg, Bell
        fails to get on to it, but at least gets the consolation wide
  40.4 Astle to Bell, two runs, well worked through to deep backward
        square leg, quick second taken as the throw goes to the bowler's
        end from Reekers, hits Jefferson running through
  40.5 Astle to Bell, no run, very full ball, digs it back to the bowler
  40.6 Astle to Bell, wide: FOUR, too wide down the leg side, beats the
        keeper and that's 5 handy runs for Wellington
  40.6 Astle to Bell, no run, poked away to Harris at backward point

End of over 41 (9 runs) Wellington 184/7 (RR: 4.49 RRR: 87/9 = 9.67)
NJ Astle 7-0-33-1 (2w) - Port Hills End
MR Jefferson 2* (4b) MD Bell 6* (16b)

  41.1 Harris to Jefferson, no run, turned straight to Stead at midwicket
  41.2 Harris to Jefferson, legbye: one run, down the leg side, turned
        away off the pad backward of square leg
  41.3 Harris to Bell, no run, pushed straight to Fleming in the covers
  41.4 Harris to Bell, one run, driven down to Reekers at long off
  41.5 Harris to Jefferson, one run, paddle/sweeps to vacant short fine
        leg, easy run
  41.6 Harris to Bell, one run, swept down to Wisneski at deep backward
        square leg

End of over 42 (4 runs) Wellington 188/7 (RR: 4.48 RRR: 83/8 = 10.38)
CZ Harris 10-1-27-2 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
MD Bell 8* (19b) MR Jefferson 3* (7b)

       and that ends Harris' 10 overs, at his typical economical best,
        taking 2-27
  42.1 Astle to Bell, legbye: one run, tries to sweep but misses, taken on
        the pad and it trickles away to short third man
  42.2 Astle to Jefferson, no run, beaten having a dabble outside off
        stump, umpire Williams walks up to correct the bails at the
        bowler's end after Astle tipped them in his bowling action
  42.3 Astle to Jefferson, no run, driven up to mid off
  42.4 Astle to Jefferson, no run, Jefferson unable to hit him off the
        square, it just isn't coming on, through a big pull across the
        line before it had arrived, rebounds off the pad back down the
        pitch
  42.5 Astle to Jefferson, one run, driven just wide of extra cover, quick
        single taken to Stead's throw at the bowler's end
  42.6 Astle to Bell, OUT: Bell finally pays the price for countless
        cross-batted swipes on a slow wicket, tried to hoist that one high
        and handsome over wide long on, but missed by a mile, the sticks
        are well and truly rattled

       Wellington 190/8, Partnership of 17
       MD Bell  b Astle  8 (21b 0x4 0x6)

End of over 43 (6 runs) Wellington 190/8 (RR: 4.42 RRR: 81/7 = 11.57)
NJ Astle 8-0-34-2 (2w) - Port Hills End
MR Jefferson 4* (11b) 

       Matthew Walker the new batsman, at the non-striker's end with the
        wicket falling off the final ball of the previous over
       Craig McMillan gets a chance to roll the arm over
  43.1 McMillan to Jefferson, one run, driven down to long off
  43.2 McMillan to Walker, no run, defends on the leg side
  43.3 McMillan to Walker, no run, defends to Fleming at extra cover
  43.4 McMillan to Walker, no run, defends to Fleming again
  43.5 McMillan to Walker, no run, driven back on the off side of the
        pitch, McMillan across to grab it and fires a wild throw back
        towards the keeper's end
  43.6 McMillan to Walker, no run, defends back to the bowler

End of over 44 (1 run) Wellington 191/8 (RR: 4.34 RRR: 80/6 = 13.33)
CD McMillan 1-0-1-0 - Hadlee Stand End
MR Jefferson 5* (12b) MDJ Walker 0* (5b)

  44.1 Astle to Jefferson, no run, digs out a full ball, back to the
        bowler
  44.2 Astle to Jefferson, no run, guides it straight to Harris at
        backward point, 7 straight dot balls
  44.3 Astle to Jefferson, two runs, turned away backward of square leg,
        quick two taken as Burson sprints in from the deep and fires in a
        throw, the bails are removed but they're home
  44.4 Astle to Jefferson, FOUR, strays down the leg side, flicked very
        fine, too good for Reekers at long leg
  44.5 Astle to Jefferson, no run, cuts into the ground, Harris across to
        field at point
  44.6 Astle to Jefferson, bye: one run, big swing and a miss, somehow
        that misses the off stump, rebounds off Hopkins' pad towards
        square leg and they get a bye

End of over 45 (7 runs) Wellington 198/8 (RR: 4.40 RRR: 73/5 = 14.60)
NJ Astle 9-0-40-2 (2w) - Port Hills End
MR Jefferson 11* (18b 1x4) MDJ Walker 0* (5b)

  45.1 McMillan to Jefferson, FOUR, swung away through deep square leg,
        the fielders just watch on
  45.2 McMillan to Jefferson, one run, forward, drops it away square on
        the off side, quick single after initial hesitation, the keeper is
        the closest one to it so it's a safe enough run
  45.3 McMillan to Walker, OUT: charges down the track, gets some real
        willow on it, but finds Fleming at extra cover who snaps up a good
        catch falling to his left

       Wellington 203/9, Partnership of 13
       MDJ Walker  c Fleming b McMillan  0 (6b 0x4 0x6)
       MR Jefferson 16* (20b 2x4) CD McMillan 1.3-0-6-1

       Robert Kennedy the final batsman in, with a mere 68 required off 27
        balls to steal victory
  45.4 McMillan to Kennedy, one run, driven down towards long on
  45.5 McMillan to Jefferson, one run, dabbed away forward of point where
        Astle fields, for a lazy single
  45.6 McMillan to Kennedy, no run, yorker, dug out back to the bowler

End of over 46 (7 runs) Wellington 205/9 (RR: 4.46 RRR: 66/4 = 16.50)
CD McMillan 2-0-8-1 - Hadlee Stand End
MR Jefferson 17* (21b 2x4) RJ Kennedy 1* (2b)

       Reekers replaces Astle at the Port Hills End
  46.1 Reekers to Jefferson, one run, cracked down to long on
  46.2 Reekers to Kennedy, one run, cross batted swipe down to Anderson at
        long on
  46.3 Reekers to Jefferson, one run, nudged around the corner down to
        Astle at deep backward square leg
  46.4 Reekers to Kennedy, one run, full ball driven along the ground down
        to long on
  46.5 Reekers to Jefferson, one run, advances down the track, turns it
        away towards Burson at deep midwicket
  46.6 Reekers to Kennedy, one run, chops a wide ball outside off stump
        into the ground towards cover, six balls for six singles, but they
        need a lot more than that

End of over 47 (6 runs) Wellington 211/9 (RR: 4.49 RRR: 60/3 = 20.00)
DJ Reekers 8-0-32-2 (1w) - Port Hills End
RJ Kennedy 4* (5b) MR Jefferson 20* (24b 2x4)

  47.1 McMillan to Kennedy, no run, floated up full, Kennedy stumbles over
        himself trying to dig it away, back to McMillan
  47.2 McMillan to Kennedy, two runs, clubbed away to wide midwicket,
        Doody around to field
  47.3 McMillan to Kennedy, one run, turned out to Doody again
  47.4 McMillan to Jefferson, no run, shortish ball outside off, hit into
        the ground and up to Fleming at extra cover
  47.5 McMillan to Jefferson, no run, good straight ball seaming back in,
        defends back on the leg side
  47.6 McMillan to Jefferson, wide: one run, wide down the leg side,
        rebounds from Hopkins' pads and away for another bonus run
  47.6 McMillan to Kennedy, no run, full ball, digs out on the off side

End of over 48 (5 runs) Wellington 216/9 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 55/2 = 27.50)
CD McMillan 3-0-13-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
MR Jefferson 20* (26b 2x4) RJ Kennedy 7* (9b)

  48.1 Reekers to Jefferson, two runs, turned away through to deep
        backward square leg, Astle fields
  48.2 Reekers to Jefferson, one run, on bended knee, cracks it down to
        long on on the bounce
  48.3 Reekers to Kennedy, one run, full ball, worked away towards
        midwicket, they walk the single, all very relaxed out there now
  48.4 Reekers to Jefferson, one run, full toss, Jefferson isn't
        interested in making too much effort, just nudges it away to deep
        midwicket
  48.5 Reekers to Kennedy, FOUR, cracking straight hit back past the
        bowler and into the hoardings in fromt of the sightscreen
       Kennedy is willing to have a wee last dash, and help Wellington's
        competition Net Run Rate, even if they are struggling on the table
        for wins alone
  48.6 Reekers to Kennedy, no run, tries to turn it to leg, strikes the
        pad, half appeal from Reekers

End of over 49 (9 runs) Wellington 225/9 (RR: 4.59 RRR: 46/1 = 46.00)
DJ Reekers 9-0-41-2 (1w) - Port Hills End
MR Jefferson 24* (29b 2x4) RJ Kennedy 12* (12b 1x4)

       final over to be bowled now, Wellington requiring just 7 and a half
        per ball to win from here
  49.1 McMillan to Jefferson, one run, pulled to Stead at wide mid on
  49.2 McMillan to Kennedy, SIX, Kennedy has a go, and hoists him cleanly
        high over midwicket, the number 11 is having a little bit of fun
        now
  49.3 McMillan to Kennedy, one run, driven down to Harris at long on
  49.4 McMillan to Jefferson, FOUR, angling down leg, sweeps very fine and
        it's more runs, a handy last over but it'll count for nought
  49.5 McMillan to Jefferson, one run, stroked away towards cover, Burson
        in from the deep to field it before Fleming walks over to it from
        5 feet away
       33 to win off the last ball - can Kennedy do it?
  49.6 McMillan to Kennedy, one run, in short, not quite, pulled away to
        Stead at wide mid on, they jog the single as the throw goes to the
        bowler's end

End of over 50 (14 runs) Wellington 239/9 (RR: 4.78 RRR: 32/0 = 0.00)
CD McMillan 4-0-27-1 (1w) - Hadlee Stand End
RJ Kennedy 20* (15b 1x4 1x6) MR Jefferson 30* (32b 3x4)

       and a 14 run final over and an unbroken 36 run 10th wicket stand
        off 27 balls fails to prevent a comfortable home victory by 31
        runs
       amazing how easily Wellington managed to lose this match after
        looking rampant at 101 without loss in the 20th over, but Reekers
        and Anderson turned the game around, and then Astle and Harris
        came back to chip out the heart of the middle order
       from then on it was pretty much a formality, with only the odd
        consolation lower order run to boost a flagging effort - all 9
        wickets fell in the space of 102 runs, a weak effort
       only the openers can really hold their heads up high, they set
        things alight in the face of some ordinary bowling, and it is no
        surprise that the medium/slow bowlers bowled 42 overs in the
        innings
       the new ball was nice and hard, and on this wicket just sat up
        asking to be hit, and raced quicker to the boundary rope
       if you have any comments about today's commentary, please feel free
        to mail comms@cricinfo.com to provide much appreciated feedback

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Date-stamped : 20 Jan2000 - 17:46