Cricket: Dynamic Canning demolishes Otago

DUNEDIN - Tama Canning again proved Otago's nemesis as Auckland completed a 70-run win in the Shell Trophy cricket match at Carisbrook yesterday.

Canning, a former Western Australia squad member aged 22, is in his first season of first-class cricket in New Zealand and has made an outstanding start to his career.

Otago, resuming yesterday at 39 for three and, chasing 281 to win, added 171 runs for their last seven wickets before quick bowler Kerry Walmsley ended the game when he spreadeagled David Sewell's stumps 20 minutes after tea.

But it was Canning who delivered the decisive blow much earlier when he induced an edge from New Zealand test opener Matt Horne from an outswinger 12 minutes after lunch.

Horne had batted for 236 minutes and 181 balls for 66 and he and Stephen Mather had added 104 in 196 minutes for the fourth wicket.

They batted throughout the morning session with assurance and authority, and Otago were well set to push towards victory before Horne was undone.

Mather played his third major hand in four innings, scoring 54 in 257 minutes off 183 balls before he was surprisingly yorked by Aaron Barnes.

Chris Gaffaney and Nathan Morland partially resurrected the ailing innings and Otago were still a reasonable chance at 194 for six when Canning struck just before tea.

Gaffaney clipped a ball from Canning off his pads to backward square-leg where John Aiken held the catch, and while Morland battled on valiantly - his 26 off 36 balls included some bold, well-struck strokes - the end was not prolonged.

Canning claimed five for 47 off 29 overs to finish with match analysis of eight for 97 from 56 overs, while he played two invaluable innings (19 not out and 53) with the bat.

Auckland and Central Districts lead the Shell Trophy after two rounds with 12 points. Northern Districts have eight, Otago two and Canterbury and Wellington none.

- NZPA