Cricket: Central back in the game

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Lance Hamilton bowled Central Districts back into their four-day match with Northern Districts as Joseph Yovich threatened to steer the home side to a sizeable first innings total.

At stumps, in the game that was delayed a day at WestpacTrust Park, Northern had worked their way to a pedestrian 221 for six off the day's 100 overs and Yovich was unbeaten on 75 after 320 defiant minutes.

Until Hamilton's late new-ball burst, Northern, at 205 for three, were well-placed to build a big score and realise their plan of batting only once in this State Championship match.

Earlier, Hamilton removed Matthew Hart when he snicked one to Mathew Sinclair at third slip. Hart and James Marshall had worked their way to 46 in little over an hour for the first wicket.

Hamilton came back strongly in the second over with the new ball to end Hamish Marshall's 110-minute stay. He followed that by having Scott Styris and Grant Bradburn caught in the slips by Campbell Furlong as Northern crumbled.

Hamilton's late effort, which produced figures of three for 10 from six overs, was crucial for Central. As wickets fell, Yovich - promoted to three as the experimenting at the top of the Northern innings continued - stood firm.

He took 196 minutes to reach his half-century, minutes after posting his 1000th run in first-class cricket with a flowing off-drive through extra cover for four, and shared in a 70-run, 110-minute fourth-wicket partnership with Hamish Marshall.

Yovich will have his sights firmly set on his first first-class century when play resumes this morning.

He has a career-high of 99, scored in the Shell Trophy final against Auckland at Taupo two seasons ago.

But, with a run-rate so slow, Northern must pick up the tempo or they will be hard-pressed to stop a Central side on a roll and boasting perhaps the best-balanced bowling attack in the competition.

By trapping James Marshall leg before for 51 - after 205 patient minutes and 155 balls - Andrew Schwass took his season's tally to 31 and a lead of three over Yovich.