Round 9: Wellington v Central Districts at Wellington, 23 Jan 2000

Ball-by-Ball Commentary

       welcome to coverage of the do-or-die Round 9 Shell Cup clash
        between Wellington and Central Districts at the Basin Reserve in
        Wellington
       the loser today can effectively kiss their chances goodbye in the
        competition, certainly for Central Districts (Wellington could
        still make it if a series of results all went their way)
       Wellington have kept the same side which dramatically beat Northern
        Districts by 1 wicket with a ball to spare thanks to Richard
        Petrie's amazing hitting
       Central Districts have made a few of changes, with Karl Trask
        coming in for the injured Jacob Oram, Michael Mason returns for
        Emmett Craik, and leg spinner Tim Anderson in for left arm pace
        bowler Lance Hamilton who has been demoted to drinks carrying du
       Wellington captain Chris Nevin has won the toss and has inserted
        Central Districts in to bat - the opposition captain Craig
        Spearman admits he'd have batted anyway on this hard-to-read
        wicket, looks like it may have something in it for everyone
       Stephen Hotter to open the bowling from the Vance Stand End, with
        David Kelly on strike and Mathew Sinclair at the other end
   0.1 Hotter to Kelly, one run, driving at a full, widish ball, outside
        edge along the ground down to third man, underway immediately
   0.2 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, goes for a big one straight off, but
        it's not quite there to drive, and the bounce does him too,
        through to keeper Nevin
   0.3 Hotter to Sinclair, FOUR, yikes! Sinclair brings back memories of
        the last time he played here, his Test debut against the West
        Indies, where he got his first runs with a streaky inside edge
        over the stumps, just evading the keeper and down to the boundary,
        same deal here
       though on that occasion he posted 214, he'll be doing rather well
        to get that today
   0.4 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, full and into the pads down leg, tried
        to whip it away through square leg
   0.5 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, a beauty! angle across him from the
        left armer, a bit of swing, and then dramatic seam and bounce away
        from the poking bat of Sinclair
   0.6 Hotter to Sinclair, two runs, nicely pushed through cover, fairly
        firmly and they get a couple

End of over 1 (7 runs) Central Districts 7/0 (RR: 7.00)
SJ Hotter 1-0-7-0
DP Kelly 1* (1b) MS Sinclair 6* (5b 1x4)

       Robert Kennedy to bowl from the Scoreboard End
   1.1 Kennedy to Kelly, three runs, just pushed back past the bowler and
        it races away, plenty enough time for a third
   1.2 Kennedy to Sinclair, no run, leaves a widish ball alone outside off
        stump
   1.3 Kennedy to Sinclair, one run, driven firmly on the off side of the
        pitch, Kennedy stretches to his left and partially stops it, but
        they get the quick single on Sinclair's call once it gets past him
       rather windy in Wellington, the bails drop off, they'll probably
        need to employ the heavier version some time today if that
        persists
   1.4 Kennedy to Kelly, legbye: one run, rebounds away from the pad on
        the leg side of the pitch, very quick single taken, Kelly could've
        been struggling but Donaldson overran the pickup scooting in from
        midwicket
   1.5 Kennedy to Sinclair, wide: no run, leaves alone wide outside off
        stump
   1.5 Kennedy to Sinclair, no run, a beauty! seaming back in from outside
        off, Sinclair plays all around it as it comes back through the
        gate, somehow it just misses clipping the top of off stump as it
        passed over through to Nevin
   1.6 Kennedy to Sinclair, no run, forced off the back foot into the
        covers

End of over 2 (6 runs) Central Districts 13/0 (RR: 6.50)
RJ Kennedy 1-0-5-0 (1w)
DP Kelly 4* (3b) MS Sinclair 7* (9b 1x4)

   2.1 Hotter to Kelly, no run, beaten pushing away at a shortish seaming
        delivery outside off
   2.2 Hotter to Kelly, no run, similar again, good rising length angling
        across Kelly outside off
   2.3 Hotter to Kelly, no run, slashes and misses outside off, playing
        underneath it
   2.4 Hotter to Kelly, no run, seams back into the pad, drops in close on
        the leg side, Kelly was looking for the quick run but it was never
        there, he has to turn and sneak back into his crease as Hotter
        races up and sends in an underhanded through
       just misses the stumps, would've been definitely very close indeed
        had it hit
   2.5 Hotter to Kelly, one run, full ball, jams down on it trying to
        drive, very low edge goes to the left of Nevin, bounces well short
        of him, can't glove it cleanly and they get a run from the rebound
   2.6 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, edged and dropped! thick edge to Bell
        diving across to his left from second slip, and just plain lets it
        drop out of his hands going across in front of first slip,
        regulation stuff

End of over 3 (1 run) Central Districts 14/0 (RR: 4.67)
SJ Hotter 2-0-8-0
DP Kelly 5* (8b) MS Sinclair 7* (10b 1x4)

   3.1 Kennedy to Kelly, no run, forward defensive outside off stump
   3.2 Kennedy to Kelly, no run, slash and miss an inseamer outside off
   3.3 Kennedy to Kelly, no run, drives uppishly, really not there for it,
        mistimed shot in the air, luckily bounces just short of the cover
        fielder, Kelly thoroughly unconvincing early on
   3.4 Kennedy to Kelly, no run, tries to turn it to leg, from the pad and
        away to backward point
   3.5 Kennedy to Kelly, one run, pushes it short of the covers, good
        quick single taken
   3.6 Kennedy to Sinclair, one run, wild shot across the line trying to
        swing it away through wide mid on from outside off, comes from the
        closed face of the blade streakily down to fine leg

End of over 4 (2 runs) Central Districts 16/0 (RR: 4.00)
RJ Kennedy 2-0-7-0 (1w)
MS Sinclair 8* (11b 1x4) DP Kelly 6* (13b)

   4.1 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, full ball driven straight back to the
        bowler
   4.2 Hotter to Sinclair, FOUR, short and too much width, Sinclair
        smashes it over backward point, very much his stroke and used it a
        lot in his Test appearance here, commanding stuff
   4.3 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, full ball, digs it out back down the
        track to Kennedy, fields partially, rebounds away towards mid on
   4.4 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, angled away straight to point
   4.5 Hotter to Sinclair, two runs, firmly driven up through mid off
   4.6 Hotter to Sinclair, legbye: one run, rebounds up from the pad
        towards point, quick single taken

End of over 5 (7 runs) Central Districts 23/0 (RR: 4.60)
SJ Hotter 3-0-14-0
MS Sinclair 14* (17b 2x4) DP Kelly 6* (13b)

   5.1 Kennedy to Sinclair, one run, turned away from off stump to wide
        mid on
   5.2 Kennedy to Kelly, no run, nicely driven but straight up to deepish
        mid off
   5.3 Kennedy to Kelly, FOUR, smacked in the air straight back down the
        ground, Kennedy got a fair hand on it, but it was rocketing,
        through to the boundary rope, Kennedy shakes his stinging hand
   5.4 Kennedy to Kelly, OUT: Kelly chases a wider one outside off and
        pays the price, thick top edge straight through to the keeper

       Central Districts 28/1, Partnership of 28
       DP Kelly  c Nevin b Kennedy  10 (16b 1x4 0x6)
       MS Sinclair 15* (18b 2x4) RJ Kennedy 2.4-0-12-1 (1w)

       Central Districts captain Craig Spearman is the new batsman
   5.5 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, survives a confident screaming shout
        for lbw from Kennedy, seamed back sharply but perhaps just angling
        down leg, certainly that's what umpire Watkin must've been
        thinking
   5.6 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, defends up to mid off

End of over 6 (5 runs) Central Districts 28/1 (RR: 4.67)
RJ Kennedy 3-0-12-1 (1w)
MS Sinclair 15* (18b 2x4) CM Spearman 0* (2b)

   6.1 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, good straight ball defended away to
        point
   6.2 Hotter to Sinclair, FOUR, superb shot! was there to be hit and boy
        did he hit it, hammered through the covers, all class
   6.3 Hotter to Sinclair, wide: no run, drifts far too wide down the leg
        side
   6.3 Hotter to Sinclair, no run, misplayed stroke to a short ball, tried
        to force it through the off side off the back foot, didn't quite
        come on and ends up closing the face, up to mid on
   6.4 Hotter to Sinclair, OUT: and the other opener departs, good ball
        angling across him, just seaming away ever so slightly, gets a
        regulation edge through to keeper Nevin

       Central Districts 33/2, Partnership of 5
       MS Sinclair  c Nevin b Hotter  19 (22b 3x4 0x6)
       CM Spearman 0* (2b) SJ Hotter 3.4-0-19-1 (1w)

       Sinclair departs this time around after surviving a clear chance
        before, and having a couple of streaky moments, but in between
        that he played a few glorious strokes, a short-lived show of his
        class
       Mark Douglas the new batsman
   6.5 Hotter to Douglas, no run, fullish ball, driven straight up to mid
        off
   6.6 Hotter to Douglas, no run, back in his crease, squared around a
        little in defence, back to the bowler

End of over 7 (5 runs) Central Districts 33/2 (RR: 4.71)
SJ Hotter 4-0-19-1 (1w)
CM Spearman 0* (2b) MW Douglas 0* (2b)

   7.1 Kennedy to Spearman, one run, driven up straight on the off side,
        quick run taken
   7.2 Kennedy to Douglas, one run, overpitched, neatly whipped away
        through midwicket
   7.3 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
   7.4 Kennedy to Spearman, legbye: one run, tries to work it away from
        the pads shuffling across to leg, into the inner thigh and away
        square on the off side, quick run called through by Douglas
   7.5 Kennedy to Douglas, no run, firmly stroked up to mid on
   7.6 Kennedy to Douglas, no run, defends away to cover point

End of over 8 (3 runs) Central Districts 36/2 (RR: 4.50)
RJ Kennedy 4-0-14-1 (1w)
CM Spearman 1* (5b) MW Douglas 1* (5b)

   8.1 Hotter to Spearman, no run, driven straight up to mid on
   8.2 Hotter to Spearman, three runs, lovely shot, timed nicely through
        extra cover, played as it was still coming decently on the off,
        but well played
   8.3 Hotter to Douglas, no run, drives away from the body, through the
        shot a bit early, up to mid on
   8.4 Hotter to Douglas, no run, defends on the leg side of the pitch
   8.5 Hotter to Douglas, one run, nudged firmly towards vacant cover,
        easy run
   8.6 Hotter to Spearman, (noball) no run, oversteps, however he bowls a
        beauty, seaming back outside off, beating the outside edge
   8.6 Hotter to Spearman, one run, stroked wide of mid off, quick run
        taken

End of over 9 (6 runs) Central Districts 42/2 (RR: 4.67)
SJ Hotter 5-0-25-1 (1w 1nb)
CM Spearman 5* (9b) MW Douglas 2* (8b)

   9.1 Kennedy to Spearman, two runs, Kennedy straying down the wrong
        line, tucked away from the pad through midwicket for an easy
        couple
   9.2 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, leaves alone a fairly wide one outside
        off stump
   9.3 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, forced well off the back foot, but
        straight to extra cover
   9.4 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, driven firmly into the ground,
        straight up to deepish mid off
   9.5 Kennedy to Spearman, two runs, well timed force through the covers,
        pulled in a couple of metres inside the rope
   9.6 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, mistimed push straight to cover

End of over 10 (4 runs) Central Districts 46/2 (RR: 4.60)
RJ Kennedy 5-0-18-1 (1w)
MW Douglas 2* (8b) CM Spearman 9* (15b)

       Richard Petrie replaces Hotter at the Vance Stand End after a spell
        of 1-25 from 5 overs
  10.1 Petrie to Douglas, no run, driven up towards straight mid on
  10.2 Petrie to Douglas, two runs, overpitched swinging into the toes,
        forced away through forward square leg
  10.3 Petrie to Douglas, no run, firmly stroked into the covers
  10.4 Petrie to Douglas, no run, sweetly struck, but straight to cover
  10.5 Petrie to Douglas, no run, shoulders arms as he thrusts the front
        pad forward outside off, clips the top of the pad through to the
        keeper, no suggestion it was seaming back in so no appeal, quite
        safe
  10.6 Petrie to Douglas, FOUR, overpitches outside off, juicy half volley
        dispatched, nicely driven wide of mid off

End of over 11 (6 runs) Central Districts 52/2 (RR: 4.73)
RG Petrie 1-0-6-0 - Vance Stand End
CM Spearman 9* (15b) MW Douglas 8* (14b 1x4)

  11.1 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, played off the back foot, pushing up
        to mid off
  11.2 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, quickish ball, seams back into the
        pad, did him for a bit of extra pace there
  11.3 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, defends up to mid on
  11.4 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, defends off the back foot, back down
        the pitch, Kennedy snaps it up on the bounce on his follow through
  11.5 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, firmly driven into the ground, and up
        to Kennedy, a few members of the crowd get excited as they think
        it's caught and bowled
  11.6 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, bowled from wide of the crease,
        angling in, chopped away with no room to really do much with it,
        into the covers

End of over 12 (maiden) Central Districts 52/2 (RR: 4.33)
RJ Kennedy 6-1-18-1 (1w) - Scoreboard End
MW Douglas 8* (14b 1x4) CM Spearman 9* (21b)

       Kennedy completes the first maiden of the innings, he's bowling
        rather well today
  12.1 Petrie to Douglas, no run, quietly defends down from bat/pad on the
        leg side of the pitch
  12.2 Petrie to Douglas, no run, pushed away to cover point
  12.3 Petrie to Douglas, one run, driven down to deep wide mid off, jogs
        a run with the shot
  12.4 Petrie to Spearman, no run, driven back to the bowler on the off
        side of the pitch
  12.5 Petrie to Spearman, no run, tries to crack it through the covers
        but it's too tight on him, mistimed and played into the pitch at
        his feet
  12.6 Petrie to Spearman, one run, off the back foot, works it away to
        the right of mid on for a quick run with the shot

End of over 13 (2 runs) Central Districts 54/2 (RR: 4.15)
RG Petrie 2-0-8-0 - Vance Stand End
CM Spearman 10* (24b) MW Douglas 9* (17b 1x4)

  13.1 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, uppishly drives, down to mid off,
        Spearman struggling of late
  13.2 Kennedy to Spearman, three runs, overpitched, driven straight of
        Walker at mid on, doesn't time it perfectly and it pulls up just
        inside the long straight boundary, Walker does well to chase and
        slide and haul it back inside the rope
       the third umpire is referred to, but it shows clearly Walker did a
        fine job
  13.3 Kennedy to Douglas, no run, driven to Pasupati in the covers
  13.4 Kennedy to Douglas, no run, beaten by a slower ball outside off
        stump, bounces awkwardly just short of keeper Nevin
  13.5 Kennedy to Douglas, three runs, cracking cut shot on the up, just
        overhauled inside the rope inside the cover point boundary
  13.6 Kennedy to Spearman, no run, Kennedy just losing it a bit, having
        to bowl 7 overs straight into a very strong Wellington wind, full
        toss not dealt with, tamely pushes back on the off side to mid off

End of over 14 (6 runs) Central Districts 60/2 (RR: 4.29)
RJ Kennedy 7-1-24-1 (1w) - Scoreboard End
MW Douglas 12* (20b 1x4) CM Spearman 13* (27b)

  14.1 Petrie to Douglas, three runs, overpitched, and yet another treble
        is taken, this time straight of the mid on fielder, and another
        fair chase to near the boundary rope to pull it in
  14.2 Petrie to Spearman, OUT: how many times have we seen this match
        after match? Spearman out in the vulnerable 20s ... deliveries
        that is! Petrie seams one in on a good length, Spearman sits back
        in his crease in defence, unfortunately for him, he played
        completely around one seamingCentral Districts

       Central Districts 63/3, Partnership of 30
       CM Spearman  b Petrie  13 (28b 0x4 0x6)
       MW Douglas 15* (21b 1x4) RG Petrie 2.2-0-11-1

       Glen Sulzberger the new batsman
  14.3 Petrie to Sulzberger, no run, turned away to forward square leg
  14.4 Petrie to Sulzberger, no run, leaves outside off stump
  14.5 Petrie to Sulzberger, two runs, whipped away through backward
        square leg, well run second
  14.6 Petrie to Sulzberger, no run, forward, driven up to mid off

End of over 15 (5 runs) Central Districts 65/3 (RR: 4.33)
RG Petrie 3-0-13-1 - Vance Stand End
MW Douglas 15* (21b 1x4) GP Sulzberger 2* (4b)

       that ends the 15 over fielding restrictions, Wellington having
        pegged back Central Districts quite well
       the run rate is fairly healthy, but three wickets with not such a
        strong batting lineup today, they will have to consolidate for a
        while now
       with the wicket of Spearman, Petrie became the outright top wicket
        taker in Shell Cup history with 114, though Alex Tait on 113 is
        playing for Northern Districts against Canterbury, and will get a
        chance to bowl later in the day
       Paul Hitchcock replaces the tiring Kennedy at the Scoreboard End
  15.1 Hitchcock to Douglas, no run, driven up to mid off
  15.2 Hitchcock to Douglas, one run, back, works a shortish ball wide of
        mid on for an easy single
  15.3 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, no run, driven up to mid off
  15.4 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, no run, square driven away to cover point
  15.5 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, FOUR, overpitched, superbly straight
        driven back past Hitchcock, races away to the rope just to the
        left of the sightscreen, mid on flags the chase away fairly early
  15.6 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, no run, good response, short lifting ball
        moving away outside off, Sulzberger decides to play it safe and
        stay inside it with no stroke offered

End of over 16 (5 runs) Central Districts 70/3 (RR: 4.38)
PA Hitchcock 1-0-5-0 - Scoreboard End
MW Douglas 16* (23b 1x4) GP Sulzberger 6* (8b 1x4)

       and it's time for a drinks break
  16.1 Petrie to Douglas, no run, driven up to mid off
  16.2 Petrie to Douglas, no run, shortish straight ball, hopping on the
        crease and shuffling towards off stump, dabs it down in defence on
        the leg side, the bowler's up to field himself
  16.3 Petrie to Douglas, no run, strokedly firmly up on the off side, mid
        off dives across to field well
  16.4 Petrie to Douglas, no run, edged and dropped! thick edge straight
        to Wells at sole slip, a fairly simple take near his ankles, he
        didn't exactly get in perfect position, but that should've been
        taken, in and out
       was a good ball by Petrie, drawed Douglas to play away from his
        body, but at the important end of the equation it was plain
        grassed
  16.5 Petrie to Douglas, one run, driven straight up on the off side for
        a quick run
  16.6 Petrie to Sulzberger, one run, similar again, good running

End of over 17 (2 runs) Central Districts 72/3 (RR: 4.24)
RG Petrie 4-0-15-1 - Vance Stand End
GP Sulzberger 7* (9b 1x4) MW Douglas 17* (28b 1x4)

  17.1 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, no run, stroked up off the back foot to
        deepish mid off
  17.2 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, one run, turned away through backward
        square leg
  17.3 Hitchcock to Douglas, one run, thick outside edge down to third
        man, relatively controlled stroke
  17.4 Hitchcock to Sulzberger, one run, guided down to third man
  17.5 Hitchcock to Douglas, no run, advances, forces a fullish ball away
        to cover point
  17.6 Hitchcock to Douglas, no run, slash and miss outside off, plays
        underneath it

End of over 18 (3 runs) Central Districts 75/3 (RR: 4.17)
PA Hitchcock 2-0-8-0 - Scoreboard End
GP Sulzberger 9* (12b 1x4) MW Douglas 18* (31b 1x4)

  18.1 Petrie to Sulzberger, OUT: dear oh dear, umpire Reg Alexander
        nearly with a big booboo, Sulzberger dug down on a very full ball
        outside off, gets a clear edge low to the ground, Nevin dives
        across superbly in front of first slip to snatch the catch, but a
        shake of the head from the Central Districts

       Central Districts 75/4, Partnership of 12
       GP Sulzberger  c Nevin b Petrie  9 (13b 1x4 0x6)
       MW Douglas 18* (31b 1x4) RG Petrie 4.1-0-15-2

       the umpires conferred after Petrie was beside himself in disbelief
        at that not being given out, gesturing strongly to Alexander, and
        upon a long discussion and then over the radio with third umpire
        Bill Sommer, Sulzberger is at last given out rightfully
       to Alexander's credit, he used the powers of the laws in place for
        the Shell Cup this season which means they can refer to the third
        umpire to check on such things like this for catches
       wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan the new batsman
  18.2 Petrie to McGlashan, OUT: gone first ball! Petrie strikes with two
        in two balls, a nice straight one that seamed a little, through
        McGlashan's defences into the pad, trapped nice and plumb and this
        time umpire Alexander has little hesitation in raising the finger

       Central Districts 75/5, Partnership of 0
       PD McGlashan  lbw b Petrie  0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
       MW Douglas 18* (31b 1x4) RG Petrie 4.2-0-15-3

       Karl Trask the new batsman, and what a time to make one's domestic
        debut - coming in to face a hat-trick delivery!
  18.3 Petrie to Trask, no run, my oh my, Trask only *just* keeps it out,
        excellent hat-trick ball, yorker length on off stump, just digs it
        out, but it rebounds up from the pitch, Trask has no idea where
        it's gone, luckily it bounces away from off stump
  18.4 Petrie to Trask, no run, defends on the leg side
  18.5 Petrie to Trask, one run, pushed straight to Pasupati at cover
        point, but a terrible misfield sees it go straight through him,
        and Trask is off the mark in Shell Cup cricket
  18.6 Petrie to Douglas, no run, forward defensive outside off, towards
        mid off

End of over 19 (1 run) Central Districts 76/5 (RR: 4.00)
RG Petrie 5-0-16-3 - Vance Stand End
K Trask 1* (3b) MW Douglas 18* (32b 1x4)

       Central Districts in all sorts of bother now, Douglas the only
        recognised batsman left, and just the likes of Furlong and Penn
        who can throw the bat a little remain, followed by tail-enders
        Mason and Anderson
       still 31 overs to go, this will take some shepherding effort from
        Douglas
  19.1 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, pushed up to mid off
  19.2 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, hopping on the crease to one seaming
        back in, turned to forward square leg
  19.3 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, defends from bat and pad in close on
        the leg side
  19.4 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, slashes and misses a short wide ball
        outside off stump
  19.5 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, good full ball, just squeezes it away
        up towards mid off
  19.6 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, defends square on the off side, and
        that's the second maiden of the innings

End of over 20 (maiden) Central Districts 76/5 (RR: 3.80)
PA Hitchcock 3-1-8-0 - Scoreboard End
MW Douglas 18* (32b 1x4) K Trask 1* (9b)

  20.1 Petrie to Douglas, two runs, wide down the leg side, Douglas gets a
        fairly helping hand on to it, down to fine leg, comes back quickly
        for the second, Trask is very slow to respond, but the throw goes
        to the keeper's end, Douglas safely home as the throw is wide
  20.2 Petrie to Douglas, no run, defends up towards mid off
  20.3 Petrie to Douglas, no run, straight bat defence quietly back to the
        bowler
  20.4 Petrie to Douglas, no run, driven straight up to mid off
  20.5 Petrie to Douglas, no run, beaten, having a sickly looking wave at
        one outside off, a nothing shot
  20.6 Petrie to Douglas, one run, driven firmly straight back past the
        bowler, quick single taken as mid off has to get across

End of over 21 (3 runs) Central Districts 79/5 (RR: 3.76)
RG Petrie 6-0-19-3 - Vance Stand End
MW Douglas 21* (38b 1x4) K Trask 1* (9b)

  21.1 Hitchcock to Douglas, no run, slashes outside off, plays underneath
        it, through to the keeper
  21.2 Hitchcock to Douglas, no run, mistimed stroke away to wide mid on
  21.3 Hitchcock to Douglas, one run, turned away through to midwicket
  21.4 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, forward towards off stump trying to
        work it to leg, seams back into the top of the front pad, squares
        him around not knowing much about it, Hitchcock is interested for
        a bit in the lbw but umpire Watkin isn't
  21.5 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, pushing forward in defence on the off
        side
  21.6 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, shortish ball, angles it away off the
        face, superb fielding by Twose leaping away to his left at gully,
        snaps up the ball on the bounce and tumbles over to the applause
        of teammates

End of over 22 (1 run) Central Districts 80/5 (RR: 3.64)
PA Hitchcock 4-1-9-0 - Scoreboard End
MW Douglas 22* (41b 1x4) K Trask 1* (12b)

  22.1 Petrie to Douglas, no run, shoulders arms to a rising delivery
        outside off stump
  22.2 Petrie to Douglas, OUT: Petrie does it again! and the big remaining
        wicket of Douglas is taken, poked meekly at it on off stump, drags
        it back on to his stumps, and Central Districts are in huge
        trouble now

       Central Districts 80/6, Partnership of 5
       MW Douglas  b Petrie  22 (43b 1x4 0x6)
       K Trask 1* (12b) RG Petrie 6.2-0-19-4

       Petrie on fire with 4-19 from 6.2 overs, stretches his lead over
        Alex Tait to 4 (117 v 113) on the all-time Shell Cup leading
        wicket takers list
       Campbell Furlong the new batsman
  22.3 Petrie to Furlong, no run, forward defensive into the covers
  22.4 Petrie to Furlong, no run, full ball, squeezed up towards mid off
  22.5 Petrie to Furlong, no run, dear oh dear, not far from another,
        seams back in, Furlong's dangerously right back on his crease,
        dabbles at it and gets a thick edge, but it's low to the ground
        and bounces short of the keeper
  22.6 Petrie to Furlong, no run, angled away to backward point

End of over 23 (maiden) Central Districts 80/6 (RR: 3.48)
RG Petrie 7-1-19-4 - Vance Stand End
K Trask 1* (12b) CJM Furlong 0* (4b)

  23.1 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, very full ball, chops down on it but
        plays over the top, through to Nevin, just past the stumps
  23.2 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, pushes forward up to mid off
  23.3 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, defends up towards mid on, and that's
        12 straight dot balls as the heat goes on the visitors
  23.4 Hitchcock to Trask, FOUR, not a way to end a bad wee trot, cracking
        cut just behind the diving point fielder, and it flies away to the
        rope
  23.5 Hitchcock to Trask, no run, inswinging yorker, well dug out to
        point
  23.6 Hitchcock to Trask, OUT: superb ball! another inswinging yorker,
        even better on target, extra pace on it and Trask is done
        completely, rocks the stumps as Trask plays over it stumbling
        forward

       Central Districts 84/7, Partnership of 4
       K Trask  b Hitchcock  5 (18b 1x4 0x6)

End of over 24 (4 runs) Central Districts 84/7 (RR: 3.50)
PA Hitchcock 5-1-13-1 - Scoreboard End
CJM Furlong 0* (4b) 

       to say Central Districts are in the mire would be being rather kind
        at the moment
       not even at the halfway stage of the innings and already 7 down,
        with the number 8 and 9 batsmen now together
       it will take a Herculean effort to first get back any sort of
        respectability from here, then somehow pull off a victory and keep
        themselves in the race for the Shell Cup, which are lying on the
        dead bed at the moment
       Andrew Penn the new batsman, at the non-striker's end as the wicket
        fell off the last ball of the over
  24.1 Petrie to Furlong, no run, defends into the covers
  24.2 Petrie to Furlong, no run, forward, defends away to point
  24.3 Petrie to Furlong, no run, leaves alone outside off stump
  24.4 Petrie to Furlong, no run, forward, defends into the covers where
        Hitchcock fields
  24.5 Petrie to Furlong, no run, shortish ball sits up with a tennis
        ball-like bounce outside off, Furlong stands up and pulls it
        across from outside off, but straight up to mid on
  24.6 Petrie to Furlong, no run, pushing well forward with a drive
        straight to extra cover

End of over 25 (maiden) Central Districts 84/7 (RR: 3.36)
RG Petrie 8-2-19-4 - Vance Stand End
AJ Penn 0* (0b) CJM Furlong 0* (10b)

  25.1 Hitchcock to Penn, OUT: the wrecking ball continues its merry way,
        another fine yorker from Hitchcock and Penn is totally defeated,
        first-baller for Penn

       Central Districts 84/8, Partnership of 0
       AJ Penn  b Hitchcock  0 (1b 0x4 0x6)
       CJM Furlong 0* (10b) PA Hitchcock 5.1-1-13-2

       Michael Mason the new batsman comes out to face the second hat-
        trick ball of the match after Petrie's earlier (Hitchcock taking a
        wicket with the last ball of the previous over and first of this
        one)
  25.2 Hitchcock to Mason, no run, struck full coming only half forward,
        huge shout for lbw from the Wellington team, but umpire Watkin
        remains firm, that looked good to hit the stumps, but struck
        *just* outside the line, great ball to pull out for the attempted
        hat-trick!
  25.3 Hitchcock to Mason, OUT: unbelievable! Mason tries to strike a
        swinging full toss, misses, and knocks back the stumps halfway up,
        Hitchcock with three wickets in four balls - all clean bowled!

       Central Districts 84/9, Partnership of 0
       MJ Mason  b Hitchcock  0 (2b 0x4 0x6)
       CJM Furlong 0* (10b) PA Hitchcock 5.3-1-13-3

       Tim Anderson the final batsman
  25.4 Hitchcock to Anderson, legbye: one run, full down the leg side,
        turned away to long leg
  25.5 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, beaten pushing at it outside off
        stump
  25.6 Hitchcock to Furlong, two runs, turned away to deep midwicket

End of over 26 (3 runs) Central Districts 87/9 (RR: 3.35)
PA Hitchcock 6-1-15-3 - Scoreboard End
TR Anderson 0* (1b) CJM Furlong 2* (12b)

  26.1 Petrie to Anderson, no run, watchfully forward in defence, up to
        mid on
  26.2 Petrie to Anderson, no run, poked away into the covers
  26.3 Petrie to Anderson, no run, tentatively pokes forward outside off,
        past the outside edge through to Nevin
  26.4 Petrie to Anderson, no run, forward, pushes quietly on the off side
  26.5 Petrie to Anderson, no run, defends away to point
  26.6 Petrie to Anderson, wide: no run, Central could use a few more of
        those, wide well down the leg side
  26.6 Petrie to Anderson, no run, leaves alone outside off stump, ends
        what would've been Petrie's third consecutive maiden had it not
        been for the wide

End of over 27 (1 run) Central Districts 88/9 (RR: 3.26)
RG Petrie 9-2-20-4 (1w) - Vance Stand End
CJM Furlong 2* (12b) TR Anderson 0* (7b)

       what on earth do Central do from here? 23 overs to bat out with the
        final pair in, and Anderson looking a genuine number 11 batsman at
        that
  27.1 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, another inswinging yorker, just dug
        out, Twose fields well diving across from backward point
  27.2 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, slices a drive away along the ground
        to Twose
  27.3 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, comes well forward outside off, then
        leaves alone as it passes by the front pad through to the keeper
  27.4 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, fast inswinger, strikes Furlong flush
        on the boot but it was well down leg, no appeal offered, goes away
        into the covers
  27.5 Hitchcock to Furlong, FOUR, slower ball, and is punished for
        looping it up so invitingly, smacked wide of mid off
       still some outside hope of at least hitting triple figures, if
        that's any consolation for the visitors
  27.6 Hitchcock to Furlong, one run, attempted yorker, not quite there,
        turned into a low full toss, firmly stroked back up on the off
        side, quick run called for with the shot, and Furlong retains the
        strike, the throw hit the stumps but well after Furlong was home

End of over 28 (5 runs) Central Districts 93/9 (RR: 3.32)
PA Hitchcock 7-1-20-3 - Scoreboard End
CJM Furlong 7* (18b 1x4) TR Anderson 0* (7b)

  28.1 Petrie to Furlong, FOUR, Furlong does it again! overpitched from
        Petrie and is cracked straight back down the ground, super timing
        and power in that one
  28.2 Petrie to Furlong, one run, slower ball, sits up a bit, pokes it up
        towards mid on, quick run taken
  28.3 Petrie to Anderson, wide: no run, tries on a leggie, but doesn't
        quite succeed, pushes it wide down the leg side
  28.3 Petrie to Anderson, no run, forward defensive up to mid off
  28.4 Petrie to Anderson, no run, a beauty! beats him off the seam with a
        lovely leg cutter, poking forward at it, Anderson did well not to
        get an edge on it
  28.5 Petrie to Anderson, no run, defends into the covers
  28.6 Petrie to Anderson, no run, defends down on the off side again

End of over 29 (6 runs) Central Districts 99/9 (RR: 3.41)
RG Petrie 10-2-26-4 (2w) - Vance Stand End
CJM Furlong 12* (20b 2x4) TR Anderson 0* (11b)

       that ends a fine spell of 10 overs for Petrie, taking 4-26
       Central Districts 99/9, teasing to manage the mighty three figures,
        as this final pair have put on 15 so far, a sad indictment on the
        rest of the side as it's already the third highest partnership of
        the innings
  29.1 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, seams back in sharply, just struck
        going down leg, only a half-hearted appeal from a few players
  29.2 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, another good yorker, digs it out on
        the leg side
  29.3 Hitchcock to Furlong, (noball) no run, oversteps, and that brings
        up the 100 to only a smattering of applause, they probably don't
        even deserve a smattering for this effort, struck on the pad but
        any thoughts of an lbw shout have already been nullified
  29.3 Hitchcock to Furlong, one run, full toss, turned away through
        midwicket
  29.4 Hitchcock to Anderson, no run, shortish ball, taken on the thigh
        pad and away to short fine leg
  29.5 Hitchcock to Anderson, no run, another yorker, jams it away on the
        leg side of the pitch
  29.6 Hitchcock to Anderson, (noball) no run, oversteps again, Anderson
        in the meantime only just manages to keep it out in defence,
        inside edge into the pad and just past the stumps to Nevin
  29.6 Hitchcock to Anderson, no run, pushing forward safely in defence
        into the covers

End of over 30 (3 runs) Central Districts 102/9 (RR: 3.40)
PA Hitchcock 8-1-23-3 (2nb) - Scoreboard End
CJM Furlong 13* (24b 2x4) TR Anderson 0* (15b)

       Kennedy returns at the Vance Stand End to replace Petrie who's
        bowled out, gets to bowl down wind now after 7 overs hard slog
        into it when he opened up
  30.1 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, forward defensive on the off side
  30.2 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, slashes and misses outside off stump
  30.3 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, pushing forward outside off, not really
        a defensive or attacking shot, just presented the bat, doesn't get
        anything on it, through to Nevin
  30.4 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, shortish ball, guides it away to gully
  30.5 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, full ball, firmly cracked up to mid off
  30.6 Kennedy to Furlong, one run, lobs one up in the air towards Hotter
        at mid on, they take a belated quick single as Hotter comes in to
        field on the bounce, the underarm throw at the bowler's end stumps
        misses, Furlong would've been out by a mile had it hit

End of over 31 (1 run) Central Districts 103/9 (RR: 3.32)
RJ Kennedy 8-1-25-1 (1w) - Vance Stand End
CJM Furlong 14* (30b 2x4) TR Anderson 0* (15b)

       Central Districts live on, just, and they even earn a second drinks
        break
  31.1 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, swing and a miss outside off stump
  31.2 Hitchcock to Furlong, (noball) no run, Hitchcock not thrilling us
        much of late, oversteps again, Furlong defends on the off side
  31.2 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, holds back a slower ball, into the
        pad going down the leg side
  31.3 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, struck flush on thye pad, strong
        appeal for lbw from Hitchcock but umpire Watkin is unmoved, looked
        a rather useful shout, hard to say what that was missing, really
  31.4 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, struck back hard just past the bowler
        on the off side, mid off dives across to prevent any run
  31.5 Hitchcock to Furlong, FOUR, easy full toss dispatch, played
        straight back past the bowler on the leg side and it races away
  31.6 Hitchcock to Furlong, legbye: one run, shortish ball angling down
        leg, jumping on the crease, from the thigh pad and away towards
        vacant short fine leg, easy leg bye for Furlong to retain the
        strike yet again

End of over 32 (6 runs) Central Districts 109/9 (RR: 3.41)
PA Hitchcock 9-1-28-3 (3nb) - Scoreboard End
CJM Furlong 18* (37b 3x4) TR Anderson 0* (15b)

  32.1 Kennedy to Furlong, one run, run down to third man, Furlong asks
        Anderson whether he wants to take the single off the first ball of
        the over, and is met with an affirmative response
  32.2 Kennedy to Anderson, no run, defends down to shortish midwicket
  32.3 Kennedy to Anderson, no run, attempted yorker turns into a full
        toss, defended up towards mid on
  32.4 Kennedy to Anderson, one run, Anderson off the mark after 18 balls,
        to an ironic cheer from the crowd, nudged it away into the covers
        and they sprint the single
  32.5 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, forward, struck on the top of the front
        pad, sharp appeal from Kennedy alone, Alexander walks away
        disinterested, hit outside the line
  32.6 Kennedy to Furlong, no run, cracking off drive but straight to
        extra cover

End of over 33 (2 runs) Central Districts 111/9 (RR: 3.36)
RJ Kennedy 9-1-27-1 (1w) - Vance Stand End
TR Anderson 1* (18b) CJM Furlong 19* (40b 3x4)

       Hitchcock comes in for the first delivery of his final over, but
        kicks the stumps on his way through, doesn't release the ball as
        he's thrown off
  33.1 Hitchcock to Anderson, one run, chops down on a very full ball
        outside off, runs it away wide of slip along the ground down to
        third man, Anderson was looking for the second but Furlong wants
        the strike
  33.2 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, jumping on the crease to a rather
        short one, defends down on the leg side
  33.3 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, full ball, defends back to the bowler
  33.4 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, defends on the off side
  33.5 Hitchcock to Furlong, no run, full again, squeezes it away to Twose
        at gully
  33.6 Hitchcock to Furlong, one run, another very full ball, chops down
        on it, gets a thick edge along the ground just wide of the keeper,
        no slip in place now, Kennedy does tremendously to run around from
        third man, dive and pull it back in just inside the rope

End of over 34 (2 runs) Central Districts 113/9 (RR: 3.32)
PA Hitchcock 10-1-30-3 (3nb) - Scoreboard End
CJM Furlong 20* (45b 3x4) TR Anderson 2* (19b)

       they only took one, when at least two were on offer, Furlong wants
        to farm most of the strike for obvious reasons
       Hitchcock ends his 10 over spell taking 3-30
  34.1 Kennedy to Furlong, one run, turned away through square leg
  34.2 Kennedy to Anderson, no run, pushing forward in defence into the
        covers
  34.3 Kennedy to Anderson, no run, shortish ball, jumping on the crease
        to defend it down into the pitch
  34.4 Kennedy to Anderson, no run, pushes away in defence square on the
        off side
  34.5 Kennedy to Anderson, OUT: finally the resistance ends, Anderson
        fends away a good short rising ball, lobs in the air straight to
        Bell at slip, and that wraps the innings up

       Central Districts 114/10, Partnership of 30
       TR Anderson  c Bell b Kennedy  2 (23b 0x4 0x6)
       CJM Furlong 21* (46b 3x4) RJ Kennedy 9.5-1-28-2 (1w)

       a fair effort from the final pair, putting on 30 runs in 9.2 overs,
        equalling the best partnership of the innings which says a lot
       they were entrusted to do far too much by the top order that just
        couldn't handle the wily medium pace of Petrie and inswinging
        yorkers consistently thrown up by Hitchcock, the pair combining to
        take 7-76 from 20 overs
       happily for captain Nevin the wicket fell when it did, as both of
        them and Kennedy would've bowled out their spells at the end of
        this over, meaning no minor headaches about having to turn to a
        fifth bowler, though this does show up Central's inadequacy -
        leaving more than 15 overs of their innings unplayed
       time for a 30 minute lunch break with play to resume at 3:15pm
        local time (0215 GMT), with Wellington then to come out and try to
        knock around the 115 required in quick time to boost their Net Run
        Rate to improve their fortunes in a tight race for third

Match State: Lunch

       and the players return to the field, Wellington opening up with
        Grant Donaldson and Chris Nevin chasing just 115 runs at a
        required rate of 2.30 per over
       Andrew Penn to open the bowling from the Vance Stand End
   0.1 Penn to Nevin, no run, short and wide, smacks it hard square but
        good fielding at backward point prevents the boundary
   0.2 Penn to Nevin, FOUR, edged and *just* over third slip! races down
        to the boundary, Central nearly off to the ideal start defending a
        pitiful total
   0.3 Penn to Nevin, no run, defends into the covers, the fielder leaves
        it behind but no danger of conceding a single on the misfield
   0.4 Penn to Nevin, no run, cut hard into the ground, straight to point
   0.5 Penn to Nevin, no run, good tight ball, forced away into the covers
   0.6 Penn to Nevin, no run, full, driven into the covers again

End of over 1 (4 runs) Wellington 4/0 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 111/49 = 2.27)
AJ Penn 1-0-4-0 - Vance Stand End
GT Donaldson 0* (0b) CJ Nevin 4* (6b 1x4)

       Michael Mason to open up from the Scoreboard End
   1.1 Mason to Donaldson, no run, defends down, tucking it off the pad
        straight to square leg
   1.2 Mason to Donaldson, no run, swish and a miss outside off stump,
        jumping to get over the top of that rather short, lifting
        delivery, but too uppish on him
   1.3 Mason to Donaldson, no run, down the leg side, from the thigh pad
        through to McGlashan
   1.4 Mason to Donaldson, (noball) one run, oversteps, dear oh dear, one
        hopes for Mason's sake that Donaldson heard the call early, he
        hooked it straight down the throat of Penn at long leg, the throw
        has to be fired back in, they get two free runs instead of being
        one down
   1.4 Mason to Nevin, no run, driven up to mid on
   1.5 Mason to Nevin, no run, forced away off the back foot to point
   1.6 Mason to Nevin, SIX, whack! great pick up shot off the pads, lofts
        it high over deep square leg, bounces on the concrete perimeter
        walkway outside the boundary fence, and over the tall fence out of
        the ground, on to the road!

End of over 2 (8 runs) Wellington 12/0 (RR: 6.00 RRR: 103/48 = 2.15)
MJ Mason 1-0-8-0 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
GT Donaldson 1* (4b) CJ Nevin 10* (9b 1x4 1x6)

       to those who don't know Wellington's geography, the Basin Reserve
        is a traffic island - described as the largest roundabout in the
        world! - and there's swarms of traffic circling it at all times,
        pretty dangerous when a big hitter gets hold of a few
   2.1 Penn to Donaldson, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
   2.2 Penn to Donaldson, no run, strongly forward in defence, firmly up
        to mid off
   2.3 Penn to Donaldson, no run, beaten having a push at one outside off
   2.4 Penn to Donaldson, one run, turned away towards midwicket, easy
        quickish single taken
   2.5 Penn to Nevin, three runs, lovely sweet drive through extra cover,
        goes almost all the way to the long boundary but just pulls up
        inside, finally overhauled, almost a chance to run all four but
        they decide against it as there's a relay thrower in position to
        send it in quickly
   2.6 Penn to Donaldson, SIX, and another! this time Nevin gets in on the
        act, pulling it hard and high over deep backward square leg

End of over 3 (10 runs) Wellington 22/0 (RR: 7.33 RRR: 93/47 = 1.98)
AJ Penn 2-0-14-0 - Vance Stand End
CJ Nevin 13* (10b 1x4 1x6) GT Donaldson 8* (9b 1x6)

       this pair have clearly shown their intent in knocking off the runs
        rapidly, though it's not really anything different to their normal
        game
   3.1 Mason to Nevin, no run, driven up to mid on
   3.2 Mason to Nevin, one run, whipped away off the pad through square
        leg
   3.3 Mason to Donaldson, no run, good ball on a length just outside off,
        goes straight through Nevin playing all over the rising ball
   3.4 Mason to Donaldson, no run, driven into the covers
   3.5 Mason to Donaldson, three runs, this time he punches it well
        through the cover fielders off the back foot, and excellent
        running to get back for the third, Donaldson sprinted to the
        bowler's end where Mason waited for the throw
   3.6 Mason to Nevin, FOUR, crack! for the third over in succession, they
        end with a boundary, this time it's Nevin charging and smashing it
        forward of point, wonderful shot

End of over 4 (8 runs) Wellington 30/0 (RR: 7.50 RRR: 85/46 = 1.85)
MJ Mason 2-0-16-0 (1nb) - Scoreboard End
GT Donaldson 11* (12b 1x6) CJ Nevin 18* (13b 2x4 1x6)

   4.1 Penn to Donaldson, (noball) no run, bouncer! ducks underneath,
        called no-ball by umpire Alexander
   4.1 Penn to Donaldson, one run, nicely works it wide of mid on for an
        easy enough quick single
   4.2 Penn to Nevin, one run, turned away off the hip down to long leg
   4.3 Penn to Donaldson, no run, watchfully defends back to Penn
   4.4 Penn to Donaldson, one run, angling down leg, tries to swing it
        away, gets only a little nick on to the thigh pad and down to long
        leg
   4.5 Penn to Nevin, no run, good quick ball, angling into the pad,
        struck flush as he's squared around, big appeal for lbw but that
        was going down leg says umpire Alexander
   4.6 Penn to Nevin, legbye: one run, angling into the top of the pad
        going down leg, quick single taken as it drops short of any
        fielders square on the leg side

End of over 5 (5 runs) Wellington 35/0 (RR: 7.00 RRR: 80/45 = 1.78)
AJ Penn 3-0-18-0 (1nb) - Vance Stand End
CJ Nevin 19* (16b 2x4 1x6) GT Donaldson 13* (16b 1x6)

       Karl Trask replaces Mason, to bowl from the Scoreboard End, on his
        Shell Cup debut
   5.1 Trask to Nevin, FOUR, welcome to domestic cricket says Nevin,
        smashed through cover point
   5.2 Trask to Nevin, no run, McGlashan comes up to the stumps and
        immediately it tightens up, good full ball dug back to the bowler
   5.3 Trask to Nevin, three runs, nicely driven straight of Anderson at
        mid on, a fair chase down towards the boundary to pull it in
   5.4 Trask to Donaldson, no run, expansive cover drive into the ground
        and bounces up to Douglas at cover
   5.5 Trask to Donaldson, one run, driving outside off, swiped across it
        somewhat, drags it away towards Sulzberger at midwicket, who
        fumbles it on the ground and they get the single
   5.6 Trask to Nevin, FOUR, stand and deliver! smashed through extra
        cover

End of over 6 (12 runs) Wellington 47/0 (RR: 7.83 RRR: 68/44 = 1.55)
K Trask 1-0-12-0 - Scoreboard End
GT Donaldson 14* (18b 1x6) CJ Nevin 30* (20b 4x4 1x6)

       what an opening over in Shell Cup cricket for Karl Trask, conceding
        12 runs
   6.1 Penn to Donaldson, FOUR, down the leg side, glances it fine past
        the keeper and races away, that brings up the Wellington 50 in
        just 6.1 overs
   6.2 Penn to Donaldson, OUT: angling down the leg side, picked it up
        strongly, but in the air down to Mason at long leg who jumps up to
        snap up a neat catch, Donaldson throws away his wicket

       Wellington 51/1, Partnership of 51
       GT Donaldson  c Mason b Penn  18 (20b 1x4 1x6)
       CJ Nevin 30* (20b 4x4 1x6) AJ Penn 3.2-0-22-1 (1nb)

       Roger Twose the new batsman
   6.3 Penn to Twose, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
   6.4 Penn to Twose, no run, across to off stump, watchfully defends a
        straight ball back to the bowler
   6.5 Penn to Twose, no run, another good ball on off stump, Twose opens
        the face playing with soft hands, it saves him as he edges it
        short of second slip
   6.6 Penn to Twose, no run, leaves alone a rather wide one outside off
        stump, marginally close to being called

End of over 7 (4 runs) Wellington 51/1 (RR: 7.29 RRR: 64/43 = 1.49)
AJ Penn 4-0-22-1 (1nb) - Vance Stand End
CJ Nevin 30* (20b 4x4 1x6) RG Twose 0* (4b)

   7.1 Trask to Nevin, no run, played up to mid on
   7.2 Trask to Nevin, FOUR, cracking cover drive, flays it away
        wonderfully through the line, just a fraction too much width from
        Trask and he pays the price for it
   7.3 Trask to Nevin, no run, misplayed drive, up to mid on
   7.4 Trask to Nevin, no run, pushes forward in defence on the leg side
   7.5 Trask to Nevin, three runs, doesn't quite get on to it, but
        sufficiently enough to loft it over wide mid on, cry of 'catch
        it!' from the bowler, but it was safely clear, pitches and slows
        down quickly in the outfield, Nevin hurries back for the third
   7.6 Trask to Twose, no run, leaves alone outside off stump

End of over 8 (7 runs) Wellington 58/1 (RR: 7.25 RRR: 57/42 = 1.36)
K Trask 2-0-19-0 - Scoreboard End
CJ Nevin 37* (25b 5x4 1x6) RG Twose 0* (5b)

   8.1 Penn to Nevin, FOUR, Nevin is leading the charge from the front,
        slashing back cut in the air through vacant gully, and there's no
        third man either as Central attack in other positions inside the
        circle
   8.2 Penn to Nevin, no run, goes for another, gets it much squarer
        though, Sinclair flies to his left from point and nearly pulls off
        a stunning catch, he took it just above the ground with his
        outstretched left hand, but the elbow hit the turf and it spilt
        out
   8.3 Penn to Nevin, no run, stroked into the covers
   8.4 Penn to Nevin, FOUR, and another for Nevin, pick up shot from
        middle and off, Penn just doesn't know where to bowl, whipped off
        the legs over forward square leg and it races away
   8.5 Penn to Nevin, no run, nice on drive, but straight up to mid on
   8.6 Penn to Nevin, one run, miscued heave, drags it away towards
        midwicket, Penn just stands on the pitch and mouths the odd word
        in disbelief as Nevin keeps getting away on him

End of over 9 (9 runs) Wellington 67/1 (RR: 7.44 RRR: 48/41 = 1.17)
AJ Penn 5-0-31-1 (1nb) - Vance Stand End
CJ Nevin 46* (31b 7x4 1x6) RG Twose 0* (5b)

   9.1 Trask to Nevin, FOUR, and there's his 50! cracking shot over mid
        off, one bounce and into the sightscreen, his half century taking
        just 32 balls, 8x4, 1x6, fantastic stuff throughout his innings,
        lofted that one off a length as easy as you please
   9.2 Trask to Nevin, one run, nudged away towards cover point, quick
        single taken, throw on the fly to the bowler's end is wide
   9.3 Trask to Twose, no run, half forward, drops it into the pitch in
        defence
   9.4 Trask to Twose, no run, stroked hard off the back foot, somewhat
        aerially for a bit, but it bounces well short of the cover point
        fielder
   9.5 Trask to Twose, one run, cracked hard off the back foot towards
        wide mid on, initially good fielding as Sulzberger dived to stop
        it, but lax followup as it got away on them and they get the run
        anyway
   9.6 Trask to Nevin, one run, flicked around the corner to short fine
        leg, very sharp single called immediately by Twose, Nevin had
        barely got underway before Twose was home at the danger end,
        perhaps the throw should've gone to the bowler's end

End of over 10 (7 runs) Wellington 74/1 (RR: 7.40 RRR: 41/40 = 1.02)
K Trask 3-0-26-0 - Scoreboard End
CJ Nevin 52* (34b 8x4 1x6) RG Twose 1* (8b)

  10.1 Penn to Nevin, one run, worked away towards midwicket, quick run
  10.2 Penn to Twose, no run, firmly clipped away but straight to mid on
  10.3 Penn to Twose, one run, expertly tapped short of the mid off
        fielder and calls through for the quick single, Central are
        helpless to stop it
  10.4 Penn to Nevin, OUT: Penn finally nabs his man, Nevin pushing off
        the back foot, trying to drive through cover but gets a thick edge
        through to McGlashan, keeper and bowler go up, it's all fairly low
        key, Nevin briefly hangs around before starting to walk

       Wellington 76/2, Partnership of 25
       CJ Nevin  c McGlashan b Penn  53 (36b 8x4 1x6)
       RG Twose 2* (10b) AJ Penn 5.4-0-33-2 (1nb)

       that was all played very much in slow motion, little excitement and
        no movement from the umpire
       cracking innings from Nevin, he's effectively sealed victory in a
        flash for the home side, his dismissal should prove to only be a
        token gesture to their woeful opponents today
       Richard Petrie the new batsman, coming off an amazing match-winning
        78* off 54 balls in his last innings, the respite doesn't end for
        Central Districts
  10.5 Penn to Petrie, no run, poked away to square leg
  10.6 Penn to Petrie, wide: no run, very short ball wide outside off
        stump, signalled wide, not far off a no-ball
  10.6 Penn to Petrie, no run, beaten! pushes forward outside off, seams
        past the outside edge, Penn comes right down the pitch to grin at
        Petrie

End of over 11 (3 runs) Wellington 77/2 (RR: 7.00 RRR: 38/39 = 0.97)
AJ Penn 6-0-34-2 (1w 1nb) - Vance Stand End
RG Twose 2* (10b) RG Petrie 0* (2b)

       leg spinner Tim Anderson replaces the expensive Trask (3 overs for
        26) at the Scoreboard End
  11.1 Anderson to Twose, no run, good ball on a length straight away,
        defends outside off stump
  11.2 Anderson to Twose, one run, back, worked away through to the man
        placed out at deep midwicket
  11.3 Anderson to Petrie, no run, full ball on the toes, flicked away
        straight to short fine leg
  11.4 Anderson to Petrie, no run, back, straight into the pad, drops
        tamely square on the leg side, Petrie half looks for a run that
        isn't there
  11.5 Anderson to Petrie, no run, pads away outside off stump
  11.6 Anderson to Petrie, no run, defends on the leg side, good tidy
        start from Anderson

End of over 12 (1 run) Wellington 78/2 (RR: 6.50 RRR: 37/38 = 0.97)
TR Anderson 1-0-1-0 - Scoreboard End
RG Twose 3* (12b) RG Petrie 0* (6b)

  12.1 Penn to Twose, no run, driven straight back down the pitch to Penn
        who fields on his follow through
  12.2 Penn to Twose, no run, shoulders arms outside off stump
  12.3 Penn to Twose, one run, taps it away in close on the off side,
        quick single taken
  12.4 Penn to Petrie, no run, defends into the covers
  12.5 Penn to Petrie, no run, edged, but it drops short of second slip
       drew him to poke at it, but he played with softish hands, losing
        the bottom hand off the handle just as he played the shot, so it
        was rather safe
  12.6 Penn to Petrie, no run, angled away to backward point, another
        quiet over since Nevin's dismissal

End of over 13 (1 run) Wellington 79/2 (RR: 6.08 RRR: 36/37 = 0.97)
AJ Penn 7-0-35-2 (1w 1nb) - Vance Stand End
RG Twose 4* (15b) RG Petrie 0* (9b)

  13.1 Anderson to Twose, no run, forward defensive on the off side
  13.2 Anderson to Twose, FOUR, flighted up, but too full and Twose drives
        handsomely through the narrow gap between mid off and extra cover
  13.3 Anderson to Twose, three runs, flights it up again, this time a bit
        wide outside off and Twose deals to him again, a little mistimed
        though, so his square drive only makes it to within a couple of
        metres of the boundary rope, Petrie calls him back for the third
       almost a chance of an overthrow, but Petrie overran the crease and
        had left his bat behind
  13.4 Anderson to Petrie, FOUR, things start flowing again, this time
        it's Petrie who neatly chips over mid on, just a short arm jab,
        hardly any effort, and it easily makes the rope
  13.5 Anderson to Petrie, no run, forward, defends straight back to the
        bowler
  13.6 Anderson to Petrie, no run, flighted up, watchfully defends it
        square on the off side, clamping down on it

End of over 14 (11 runs) Wellington 90/2 (RR: 6.43 RRR: 25/36 = 0.69)
TR Anderson 2-0-12-0 - Scoreboard End
RG Twose 11* (18b 1x4) RG Petrie 4* (12b 1x4)

       Campbell Furlong replaces Penn at the Vance Stand End
  14.1 Furlong to Twose, no run, defends up to mid off
  14.2 Furlong to Twose, no run, forward, defends from the pad on the off
        side
  14.3 Furlong to Twose, no run, back, stroked up to mid off
  14.4 Furlong to Twose, one run, tucked away off the legs through square
        leg
  14.5 Furlong to Petrie, no run, forward defensive square on the off side
  14.6 Furlong to Petrie, no run, forward, defends to extra cover

End of over 15 (1 run) Wellington 91/2 (RR: 6.07 RRR: 24/35 = 0.69)
CJM Furlong 1-0-1-0 - Vance Stand End
RG Twose 12* (22b 1x4) RG Petrie 4* (14b 1x4)

  15.1 Anderson to Twose, no run, forward, beaten by a googly turning away
        from the bat, nice delivery
  15.2 Anderson to Twose, no run, turns into the pad, drops down in close
        on the leg side
  15.3 Anderson to Twose, no run, forward, driven firmly straight to cover
  15.4 Anderson to Twose, no run, tries to sweep it in the air over
        midwicket, but is done by another fine googly that turns away,
        through the gap
  15.5 Anderson to Twose, no run, forward defensive on the off side
  15.6 Anderson to Twose, no run, dabbed away to backward point, excellent
        maiden over from Anderson, mixed it up well while maintaining a
        good line and length

End of over 16 (maiden) Wellington 91/2 (RR: 5.69 RRR: 24/34 = 0.71)
TR Anderson 3-1-12-0 - Scoreboard End
RG Petrie 4* (14b 1x4) RG Twose 12* (28b 1x4)

       and it's time for a drinks break
       just 24 further runs required off 34 overs with 8 wickets in hand,
        it shouldn't extend Wellington too much ...
  16.1 Furlong to Petrie, no run, forward, defends from the pad on the leg
        side
  16.2 Furlong to Petrie, OUT: poor short ball, Petrie rocks back and
        pulls it hard in the air but Spearman snaffles up a super diving
        catch at midwicket and 'Peaches' is on his way cheaply

       Wellington 91/3, Partnership of 15
       RG Petrie  c Spearman b Furlong  4 (16b 1x4 0x6)
       RG Twose 12* (28b 1x4) CJM Furlong 1.2-0-1-1

       Paul Hitchcock the new batsman, promoted to have a bit of a bash
        about
  16.3 Furlong to Hitchcock, no run, forward defensive on the off side
  16.4 Furlong to Hitchcock, SIX, he was promoted for a reason, and he
        demonstrates exactly what that is, cracking swing away high over
        cow corner, got down on to one knee and got a hold of that one
        cleanly
  16.5 Furlong to Hitchcock, no run, defends on the leg side
  16.6 Furlong to Hitchcock, one run, strongly swung away, sweeping flat
        in the air, to long leg on the second bounce

End of over 17 (7 runs) Wellington 98/3 (RR: 5.76 RRR: 17/33 = 0.52)
CJM Furlong 2-0-8-1 - Vance Stand End
PA Hitchcock 7* (4b 1x6) RG Twose 12* (28b 1x4)

  17.1 Anderson to Hitchcock, one run, another powerful sweep, in the air
        down to deep backward square leg on the bounce
  17.2 Anderson to Twose, no run, flatter ball, pushing forward outside
        off, up towards mid on
  17.3 Anderson to Twose, one run, that brings up the 100, the last 50
        coming slightly slower than the previous one (12.2 overs compared
        with 6.1), Twose worked it from the back foot through square leg
  17.4 Anderson to Hitchcock, one run, looks to come forward, Anderson
        with fooling flight makes him reconsider, going back and pushes
        out a full ball on the toes down to long on
  17.5 Anderson to Twose, bye: one run, beautifully beats him going for a
        drive with flight and the wrong'un turning away, too good for
        McGlashan too, doesn't glove cleanly, rebounds away towards short
        fine leg for a bye
  17.6 Anderson to Hitchcock, no run, cuts another googly turning in
        sharply to him, into the covers

End of over 18 (4 runs) Wellington 102/3 (RR: 5.67 RRR: 13/32 = 0.41)
TR Anderson 4-1-15-0 - Scoreboard End
RG Twose 13* (31b 1x4) PA Hitchcock 9* (7b 1x6)

  18.1 Furlong to Twose, no run, driven up to wide mid off
  18.2 Furlong to Twose, no run, and same again
  18.3 Furlong to Twose, FOUR, drives outside off, gets a thick outside
        edge that flies fine of short third man, and it races away to the
        rope
       runs required for victory now down into single figures
  18.4 Furlong to Twose, one run, pushes forward, up to deepish mid on for
        the run
  18.5 Furlong to Hitchcock, wide: no run, flat ball, turns it wide down
        the leg side
  18.5 Furlong to Hitchcock, FOUR, flighted up full, Hitchcock lays into a
        half volley, lofting him hard over extra cover, and it beats the
        sweeper who's not far away from it in the deep
  18.6 Furlong to Hitchcock, no run, turns down the leg side, shuffled
        across his crease a little trying to sweep it away, but misses

End of over 19 (10 runs) Wellington 112/3 (RR: 5.89 RRR: 3/31 = 0.10)
CJM Furlong 3-0-18-1 (1w) - Vance Stand End
RG Twose 18* (35b 2x4) PA Hitchcock 13* (9b 1x4 1x6)

       just 3 required for victory and a mere 31 overs to do it in, the
        tension is mounting
  19.1 Anderson to Twose, three runs, and there it is, Twose lofts a
        flighted full ball wide outside off, skied it a bit but it cleared
        the field safely, pitches and rolls towards the wide long off
        boundary, just stopped inside the rope by Sulzberger but they get
        back home for the third easilyCentral Districts
       Wellington complete a demolition job, a 7 wicket victory with 30.5
        overs to spare, dramatically boosting their Net Run Rate, and
        drawing them level with Northern Districts on 8 points in 3rd
        equal on the points table, if only temporarily (pending the
        outcome of the Knights match against Canterbury)
       not much you can say about this game, it barely even lasted half
        the distance in terms of overs (54 of a maximum 100, to be
        precise), Central Districts got off to a breezy but unconvincing
        start, and at 63/2 in the 15th over, things were still going along
        well
       but the introduction of Hitchcock in tandem with Petrie saw
        Central's self-destruction come amidst tight bowling, particularly
        from Hitchcock was his super inswinging yorkers that netted him
        three wickets in four balls, and the hat-trick ball wasn't a bad
        one either!
       the worst period of collapse saw 6 wickets fall for just 9 runs in
        the space of 7.3 overs, the last wicket partnership showed the top
        order up, but it was far, far too little, too late, and there was
        no question as to who would win this game, the only doubt in
        anyone's mind was "how long will it take?"
       the naturally aggressive Nevin and Donaldson came out and showed
        they meant business, smacking the opening 50 in just 6.1 overs,
        things slowed down a little with the loss of a couple of wickets,
        before Hitchcock came out and finished the job
       Wellington's Net Run Rate has leapt from -0.547 to -0.177,
        narrowing the gap on the other challenger for third spot, Northern
        Districts who still have a useful positive NRR, while Central
        Districts are emphatically eliminated from contention, and Otago
        need a serious of miraculous events to go their way to stay alive
       join us for our next match coveraged live, the big one, Auckland
        and Canterbury facing off in the final round at Eden Park Outer
        Oval, to decide top spot and the crucial free ride into the finals
        plus home ground advantage in those finals
       the match starts at 12pm local time (2300 GMT), so until then it's
        good afternoon from CricInfo - if you have any comments,
        brickbats, bouquets for today's coverage, we'd love to hear from
        you at comms@cricinfo.com, we appreciate all feedback received

help@cricinfo.com

Date-stamped : 24 Jan2000 - 17:53