Cricket: Brothers key to Knights' defence of Cup

By Terry Maddaford

"Bear" and "Flea" hold the key to Northern Districts' chances in today's elimination Shell Cup cricket semifinal against Canterbury.

Better known - to all but their team-mates - as Michael and Neal Parlane, the Northland brothers have key roles at the top of the Northern batting.

But as the pressure has built at the business-end of the season, the runs scored so freely early on have dried up. In the last three games they have managed just 79 runs between them.

"Michael's contribution at the top of the innings is crucial," said Northern Knights captain Robbie Hart. "He and Mark Bailey know how much the runs they score mean to the team."

In 11 cup matches in this campaign, Michael Parlane has scored 285 runs at 25.90, Neal Parlane 326 at 32.60 and Bailey 213 at 23.66.

Hart is looking forward to another battle with Canterbury.

"We are in the same position we were before last Saturday's game against Wellington - we have to win two games to win the Shell Cup," said Hart. "We have the advantage of playing at home and we are certainly not overawed at playing a full-strength Canterbury side."

The match will be played on the same WestpacTrust Park pitch as used against Wellington which tends to suggest a score of around 250 will be competitive.

"If you bat first and get a reasonable total, all the pressure goes on the team batting second," said Hart. "But really, our focus remains on what we do and doing it well. We have to pay attention to the smaller things."

Of the decision to bat Cup veteran Grant Bradburn at 10 in the game against Wellington, Hart said it was a "judgment call."

"There was a plan there but it didn't work. We wanted to take the game to Wellington but things didn't really go our way."

Bradburn will today become the first player to play 90 Cup games while Canterbury spinner Mark Priest has the chance to edge back in front in the wicket-taking race.

He and Wellington (and former Canterbury allrounder) Richard Petrie ended Saturday's play with 105 wickets each from 87 Cup outings.

Northern beat Canterbury in their two round-robin matches this season - by 10 runs and seven wickets in Mt Maunganui and Christchurch respectively.

They also won three out of four last season (the fourth abandoned without a ball being bowled). Canterbury's last win over Northern was in the January 12, 1997, semifinal in Christchurch.

Northern have left Joseph Yovich and Daryl Tuffey out of the squad they had for the game against Wellington. Alex Tait, despite the discomfort of a season-long side strain, is certain to play.

Depending on pitch conditions, Northern's 12th man could be a choice between pace men Simon Doull and Graeme Aldridge.

Canterbury will have all their stars - apart from injured Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming - out to play.

But if "Bear" and "Flea" can get it together, the underdogs might yet have their day.

Northern Districts: Michael Parlane, Hamish Marshall, Neal Parlane, Mark Bailey, Scott Styris, Matt Hart, Grant Bradburn, Alex Tait, Robbie Hart (captain), Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Graeme Aldridge (one to be omitted).

Canterbury: Nathan Astle, Llorne Howell, Hamish Barton, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Chris Cairns, Gary Stead (captain), Gareth Hopkins, Mark Priest, Warren Wisneski, Stephen Cunis, Geoff Allott, Shane Bond (two to be omitted).

Match starts 10.15 am.