Cricket: Harris keeps Canterbury in Shell Cup final

Chris Harris has come to the rescue of Canterbury in the first Shell Cup final today against Central Districts at McLean Park, Napier.

Harris top-scored with 51 in Canterbury's 174 for eight, holding together an innings that was in danger of ending well before the allotted 50 overs.

Batting first after winning the toss, Canterbury crashed to 47 for four in the nineteenth over and then slumped further to be 71 for 6 in the thirty-first over.

The form of key Kiwi batsmen in the side was disappointing, Nathan Astle made one run and Craig McMillan 17.

But Harris and Carl Anderson (39) put together a 67-run partnership for the seventh wicket, taking Canterbury through 50 overs and giving something for the South Islanders to bowl at this afternoon.

All five Central Districts bowlers took wickets, Glen Sulzberger finished with 2-25 from his ten overs, Jacob Oram took 2-31 and Brent Hefford 2-40.

The Shell Cup will be decided in a best-of-three final series.