CRICKET - Child's ton puts him in sights for selection

Maungakaramea's Dean Child continues to stake a claim for a Northland recall after a measured century at Cobham Oval on Saturday.
Child's first century since returning to play for Maungakaramea coincided with a rare chance to captain the side and he accomplished both with some distinction.
He started off his innings with several boundaries and raced to 50 but, as the wickets fell around him, his scoring slowed.
Upon reaching 100, Child once again tried to force the pace but was bowled by Nic Breslin without adding to his total.
With normal skipper Craig Gurr out with a broken finger, Child managed to stave off defeat for his side after Onerahi-Central showed great application to get close to Maungakaramea's first innings total of 188.
Craig Russell (41) and Harry Darkins (26) got their chase back on track after a poor start, but it was an Aaron Bradley knock of 45 that almost got Onerahi home.
A run out orchestrated by Mark Child in the 52nd over got rid of the threat and Maungakaramea clawed their way back into the game. Onerahi needed seven runs in the 55th and final over to win but could only score three singles to see the match drawn.
Two of City's Northland contingent, Ian Page and Josh Matthews, featured in their comfortable seven-wicket win at Kaipara Flats.
City won the toss and put Kaipara into bat on what they believed was an under-prepared surface. They didn't regret the decision.
"We nipped out the first couple early on and then I think we had them at 100/9 but the tail wagged for them. But it was never going to be enough against us with the strength of our batting," City professional Owain Hopkins said.
Matthews never gave any of the batsmen a chance to settle, finishing his 14 overs with 5/25, with Andy Pratt taking 2/40, as Kaipara struggled to 150 all out. Ian Page batted well to take the game away from Kaipara, scoring 68 not out to anchor the successful chase.
"Josh bowled very well on that pitch and didn't give them anything and Pagey batted very well, so it was a good performance by both those boys, coming back from playing for Northland last weekend ...," Hopkins added.
Kaipara's bowling attack was weaker than usual as well, with Gordon Penney and Kyran Dill both out of the side.
In the third match, Whangarei Boys' High School maintained their progress in the 55-over competition by beating Kamo by 57 runs.
With a number of players showing good form with the bat in recent weeks, it was no surprise when they won the toss and batted.
The Kamo bowlers didn't make it easy though, with Josh Ashley taking 4/36 and Terry Duffin 3/29. Rory Darkins top-scored with 35, with Henry Cooper (33), Ben Hyde (27) and Joseph O'Sullivan (29), all contributing to the total of 188/9 in 55 overs. High School coach Stephen John spear-headed their pace attack and only Duffin seemed able to cope, scoring 77 until he was finally bowled.
Jamie Kay was the next highest scorer with 15, as Kamo were dismissed for 131.