KEY POINTS:
Twin centuries from a pair of provincial stalwarts helped Canterbury stay afloat in the State Championship cricket match against Otago in Christchurch yesterday.
Former internationals Craig McMillan and captain Chris Harris provided the resistance on the pitch while inclement weather later helped their cause at QEII Park on the penultimate day of the four-day fixture.
Canterbury's backs were to the wall in the morning when they resumed at 144 for four in pursuit of Otago's mammoth first innings of 601 for nine declared.
They ended a rain-interrupted day on 330 for seven, still well short of the follow-on mark of 451, thanks chiefly to McMillan and Harris, who shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 162.
McMillan returned to the middle with 30 runs beside his name and carefully plotted his side's fightback after Otago piled on their second-highest first-class score on Thursday.
With left-hander Harris in equally defiant mood, these two took Canterbury to the brink of 300 before McMillan finally departed, caught behind off seamer James McMillan, his cousin and originally a product of Canterbury.
McMillan's 101, his 15th first-class century, occupied 233 minutes and contained 11 fours and two sixes.
His departure prompted a mini-collapse as Canterbury lost three wickets for just 10 runs as Nathan Astle and wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk came and went quickly.
The flurry of action after lunch did not prevent Harris progressing to his 14th first-class hundred and he was on 103 when heavy rain forced the players from the field.
Harris had been at the crease for almost 4 1/2 hours, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.
James McMillan, 28, was the pick of the Otago bowlers on a good batting surface.
- NZPA
