Cricket: Day of records as ND flail Canterbury attack

James Marshall trumped his brother to guide Northern Districts into cricket's record books against Canterbury yesterday.

Marshall scored 178 not out as the Plunket Shield leaders piled on 726 in their first innings on the fourth and final day at Rangiora, ensuring the match petered out to a tame draw by tea as Canterbury reached 85 for one in their second innings after making 554 for four declared in the first innings.

It was a record team score for Northern Districts, and only the third instance of a team posting in excess of 700 in New Zealand first-class history.

Northern Districts resumed this morning at 509 for five, with James Marshall well set on 71 and eyeing his twin Hamish's 170 scored yesterday.

The Northern Districts captain duly passed his sibling's effort as Canterbury were kept in the field until well after lunch.

Marshall's 11th first-class century saw him occupy the crease for 324 minutes, hitting 17 fours and one six. He put on 63 for the 10th wicket with tailender Brent Arnel, who swung lustily to make 32 in 35 minutes.

The 22-year-old left-armer, Jason Donnelly, in just his third first-class match, wheeled down 69 overs to return figures of four for 257, the most conceded in a first-class match in this country.

The previous high was the 229 given up by another left-arm spinner, Stephen Boock, for New Zealand against Pakistan, at Auckland in the 1988/89 season.

The two first innings points secured by competition leaders Northern Districts extended their advantage atop the standings to eight points, with Canterbury second.

At Colin Maiden Park, hosts Auckland barely raised a sweat in cantering to a 10-wicket defeat of Wellington yesterday.

Needing 120 runs to claim Auckland's first outright win of the season, openers Tim McIntosh and Jeet Raval achieved their goal at nearly a run-a-ball throughout a trouble-free morning.

Both reached unbeaten half-centuries as Auckland cruised to 122 without loss inside 22 overs.

New Zealand test opener McIntosh's 51 followed his first innings knock of 171, while Raval's 61 not out came in the wake of 96 in Auckland's 480 for three declared.

Victory was set up on Saturday when Wellington's second innings collapsed for 122. Auckland legspinner Tarun Nethula was the chief destroyer, taking four for 17.

Auckland pick up their first points of the competition but remain in last place with two rounds remaining. Wellington are second-last.

In invercargill, rain had the last say when play was abandoned on the final day of the match between Otago and Central Districts.

A heavy downpour meant no play was possible, leaving Central Districts with the first innings points they secured on Saturday.

The game was evenly poised, with the visitors 95 for five in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 120 entering the last day.

Top Scores:

Highest first-class cricket scores team in New Zealand:-

* 777 - Canterbury v Otago, Christchurch, 1996/97

* 752-8 dec - New South Wales v Otago, Dunedin, 1923/24

* 726 - Northern Districts v Canterbury, Rangiora, 2009/10

* 693-9 dec - Auckland v Canterbury, Auckland 1939/40

* 671-4 dec - New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Wellington, 1990/91

- NZPA