Cricket: Rain ruins the day

Rain ruined any chance of an outright result on day four of the Plunket Shield clash between Northern Districts and Canterbury at Seddon Park in Hamilton today.

Canterbury resumed their second innings on 22-0 this morning in pursuit of 425 runs for victory, while the home side needed 10 wickets to register their first victory of the campaign.

Left-hander George Worker was the first to depart when the Cantabrian opener was caught by Corey Anderson from the bowling of Graeme Aldridge for 18 before Tom Latham made his way to 23 before he was bowled by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

The in-form Peter Fulton finished the day unbeaten on 68 when stumps were finally called, while Dean Brownlie was at the other end on one as Canterbury closed the match on 112-2.

The match marked two milestones for long-serving Northern Districts players James Marshall and Aldridge.

Marshall broke the record for most apperances for one province in New Zealand as he registered his 121st appearance for ND. The previous record holder was Evan Gray who played 120 times for Wellington.

The 35-year-old Aldridge became the leading wicket-taker for ND as his 283rd scalp surpassed the previous mark for the province of 282 held by Cliff Dickeson.

The result leaves ND still searching for a victory in the Plunket Shield and they occupy last place on the ladder, while Canterbury are fourth.

Central Districts lead the competition with Otago in second and Auckland in third, while Wellington are fifth.