Cricket: Canning's century caps strong match

By RICHARD BOOCK

Auckland signalled their readiness for this summer's State Championship defence after completing a more than satisfactory warm-up match against Northern Districts yesterday.

In what has become a race against time for the six major associations, Auckland had much the better of their two-day friendly on Eden Park's Outer Oval, and should be in a confident mood when they start their campaign against the same opposition on Friday week.

Resuming at a precarious 95 for five yesterday morning, the hosts were eventually bowled out for 373, following a century from Tama Canning and innings of substance from Tim McIntosh (77), Reece Young (35) and Brooke Walker (34).

The result might only register as a draw in the scorebook, but it was an encouraging performance from last season's four-day champions, not to mention a strong indication that they should again be well served by their non-international players this summer.

Having lost the test trio of Matt Horne, Lou Vincent and Mark Richardson the previous night, Auckland were far more resolute yesterday, as McIntosh and Canning repaired the innings with a sixth-wicket partnership of 175.

Canning, on the brink of selection for the New Zealand one-day side a couple of summers ago, only to be ruled ineligible at the 11th hour, was a heady mixture of patience and aggression as he scored 105 off 224 balls, including a dozen fours and four sixes.

The talented all-rounder brought up his century off 197 balls in 219 minutes, capping a strong match after toiling through 19.5 overs at the bowling crease on Monday and taking three for 33.

McIntosh, one of Auckland's brightest prospects, made the most of his opportunity in the middle, occupying the crease for 234 balls after resuming the day unbeaten on 23.

Auckland then suffered a temporary setback when they lost three relatively quick wickets, but skipper Brooke Walker teamed up with Young to add 59 off 121 balls for the 10th wicket, stretching the lead out to 172.

The stand was eventually broken by part-timer Hamish Marshall, who ended Young's innings with his second ball to give wicketkeeper Robbie Hart his fifth catch of the innings.

Northern, dismissed for 201 on Monday, are unlikely to be despondent and would have been pleased to receive a tough workout.

Certainly, the pace quartet of Graeme Aldridge, Simon Andrews, Gareth West and Joey Yovich were well used, and New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori was forced to work hard for his two successes.

He took two catches off his own bowling, the first a regulation piece of work from Craig Pryor, and the second a breathtaking snare off the flashing blade of Andre Adams.