Cricket: Centuries put pressure on Auckland

Boosted by centuries from Michael Papps and Johann Myburgh, Canterbury took early control of their Plunket Shield four-day cricket match against Auckland in Christchurch yesterday.

Canterbury ended the day on 368 for six after winning the toss at Queen Elizabeth Park with veteran former international Chris Harris finishing the day unbeaten on 83.

However, it wasn't the most comfortable of starts for Canterbury, who recorded their first outright four-day success since winning the 2007-08 final over Wellington when they beat Otago last week.

Opener Rob Nicol, who last week looked composed in notching 75, could manage only a single before Michael Bates trapped him leg before wicket with the score on 14.

And when Todd Astle disappeared, caught by Anaru Kitchen off English import Ravi Bopara, Canterbury were left teetering at 51 for two.

However, a 181-run partnership between Papps and Myburgh righted the ship until Papps was run out for 107 by captain and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins with the score on 232.

Bopara, who finished the day with figures of three for 69, then combined with Scott Styris to remove Myburgh after tea. His 120 came off 168 balls and included 13 fours and four sixes.

Youngster Corey Anderson, the next man in, lasted just two balls before he was bowled by Bopara without scoring, and Canterbury were 315 for five.

Although captain Kruger van Wyk fell late in the day for 11, Harris saw Canterbury through to stumps.

ND V WELLINGTON Northern Districts pace bowler Tim Southee tore Wellington's first innings apart when he grabbed eight wickets at Hamilton.

Wellington, with useful contributions of 69 from Josh Brodie, 88 from Cameron Merchant and 58 by Luke Woodcock were 241 for six at one stage after tea. But Southee ripped through the lower order to have them all out for 263.

His eight wickets cost just 27 runs from 25 overs that included 12 maidens.

It was his fifth first class five-wicket bag and surpassed his previous best figures of six for 68 against Auckland in the 2007-08 season.

At stumps, Northern were six for no wicket.

CD V OTAGOWinless Otago battled back after losing two early wickets to be 357 for two in Napier.

Shaun Haig and Neil Broom notched their highest first class scores, with Haig's unbeaten 150 coming off 272 balls and including 19 fours. It was the 27-year-old's third first class century, easily eclipsing his previous high of 111. Broom also bettered his previous first class best of 150, his well-controlled 159 not out coming off 267 balls and including 18 fours and one six.

They crafted an impressive 302-run partnership after Otago lost opener Leighton Morgan for two and captain Craig Cumming for 24 to be 55 for two in the 17th over.

- NZPA