Cricket: Canterbury warming up in cup defence

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CHRISTCHURCH - Captain Gary Stead believes Shell Cup cricket champions Canterbury have "more gas left in the tank" after their hard-fought four-wicket win over Central Districts yesterday.

Chasing Central Districts' 190 from 49.1 overs, Canterbury overtook the target in the 48th over, New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming anchoring the victory with a solid unbeaten 79.

"I certainly think we can go up from where we are," said Stead.

Fleming and Stead provided the victory foundation to the Canterbury innings with their 97-run fourth-wicket stand after the home side slipped to 45 for three.

"Flem and I decided we both had to play very straight and get ourselves used to the pace of the pitch," said Stead. "Flem batted very well to go right through and finish it off."

After Stead fell, Canterbury had another stutter, losing two more wickets, but with Fleming gaining in stature the longer the innings lasted they finished with 2.1 overs to spare.

Canterbury are second on the points table, one behind Auckland.

Central's innings was built around a splendid 93 from Mathew Sinclair, who continues to impress after his double century on test debut against the West Indies last month. - NZPA