Cricket: Great escape by Canterbury side

CHRISTCHURCH - Tim Walton neither batted nor bowled, but the English professional made a telling contribution to Canterbury's thrilling three-run Shell Cup cricket win over Otago.

He was named 12th man for the first-round match at Jade Stadium but was soon required on the field, as a substitute for Llorne Howell, as Otago set about their task of scoring 201 runs for a rare win against Canterbury.

Otago were cantering to victory at 150 for three after 30 overs with only 51 needed off 120 balls. Even a middle-order collapse seemed unlikely to swing the match as Michael Lamont remained at the crease on 80.

Then Walton effected a stunning catch, jumping high at square leg and clawing a one-handed take when the pull shot off the left-handed Lamont looked bound for the boundary.

That was the catalyst Canterbury needed. Shane Bond bowled the delivery which removed Lamont and he hit the stumps of Shayne O'Connor in a double-wicket maiden 42nd over.

Otago had slumped to 182 for eight. Nathan Morland and Aaron Gale took the score to 197 before Mark Priest grasped a catch at the second attempt to remove Morland in the 48th over.

Gale, perhaps knowing the batting limitations of No 11 Glenn Jonas, went for glory off the second ball of the 49th over, bowled by Mark Hastings, and succeeded only in holing out at deep long-off to Warren Wisneski. - NZPA