CRICKET - Parlane practises to keep runs piling up

Michael Parlane wasn't resting on his laurels the day after his big ton had seen the Northern Knights home against Central Stags at Cobham Oval.
Parlane and some Knights mates chose to practise yesterday before heading down for their match against the Wellington Firebirds tomorrow.
"One innings doesn't make a summer so I've got to keep on kicking on ... I've been in pretty good nick all year but I keep getting myself out in my 30s and 40s, so hopefully yesterday was a turning point," he said.
It was a memorable century, moving the 36-year-old past Canterbury's Chris Harris to become the highest scorer in the New Zealand domestic one-day game.
Parlane has compiled 3843 one-day runs for Northern and Wellington in his 16-year, first-class career and his unbeaten stand of 111 is special to the batsman known as Bear.
"The last time I scored a century up here was at the old ground but it wasn't quite as pleasing because we lost the game against Wellington."
He is aware how quickly things can change. He was dropped against Central Districts in Palmerston North to make room for Black Cap Daniel Flynn.
"That could very well happen again in Wellington, all the big boys are coming back so someone's got to miss out. It could be me, that's just professional cricket," he said.
The Maungakaramea batsman wants to make 4500 runs.
"That means I'll have to play next year but that's all right with me I want to play for as long as I can. I just love cricket, that's all I want to do, so I've got to keep scoring runs and take the decision out of the hands of the selectors and make it mine.
"I want retirement to be my decision, so I've got to keep scoring, it's as simple as that really."
Northern, the State Shield leaders, will name their team today for the game against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.