Cricket: Capital batsmen boost triple hopes

Wellington's batting will be bolstered for their next match against Northern Districts starting on Monday, just as the team's bowling has hit form.

Fast-medium bowler Andrew Penn spearheaded Wellington's 31-run win over Canterbury in the State Championship on Wednesday, taking career-best figures of eight for 21 at the Basin Reserve.

It was the fifth-best performance by a Wellington bowler, and helped to keep the side at the top of the standings with three matches to go.

Penn has 35 championship wickets this season at an average of 13.74.

Selector Greg Hooper confirmed that national representatives Stephen Fleming and Chris Nevin would come back into the side for the home match against Northern Districts, as would suspended batsman Richard Jones. Their presence will bolster Wellington's triple-crown quest. The team already have the Cricket Max and one-day titles.

Canterbury captain Gary Stead said Penn's performance and the pitch were to blame for his side's second-innings capitulation for 120.

Canterbury were 33 for seven after Penn had ripped through the top and middle order.

"Obviously Andrew Penn bowled magnificently into the wind and it was a tremendous spell of bowling," Stead said.

"But you wouldn't expect to be playing test cricket on that [pitch], so why are we playing first-class cricket on it?

"There was a lack of bounce and excessive seam movement and spin from ball one. You can just tell from the scores."

In eight State Championship innings at the Basin Reserve this summer, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago have failed to top 200 in an innings.

"There was some very good bowling in the match, but if you're hoping to develop cricketers in our country you'd hope to develop better conditions," Stead said.

Basin Reserve turf manager Trevor Jackson was unavailable for comment.

Wellington captain Matthew Bell said the team now had their sights set on the championship title.

- NZPA