Cricket: Innings of flair galling for selector

Just whose Shell Trophy is it anyway?

The expanded first-class competition, designed to prepare New Zealand cricketers for the test arena, has been hijacked by players not available to the Black Caps.

While Roger Twose, the Englishman who took the trouble of qualifying for New Zealand before spurning test cricket, was scoring a quickfire century against Auckland in Wellington yesterday, a player from Leicestershire was dominating proceedings at Christchurch's Village Green.

Ben Smith unveiled strokeplay of outstanding quality as he made 168 for Central Districts against Canterbury.

He was the backbone of Central's first innings of 435 for eight, which dwarfed the home side's 220.

It must have been galling for New Zealand selector Ross Dykes to watch a journeyman English professional overshadow a supporting cast which included Central's current or recent New Zealand internationals - Craig Spearman, Mathew Sinclair, Glen Sulzberger and Jacob Oram - and Canterbury fast bowler Chris Martin.

The trophy competition was extended to four days, and then two full rounds, to encourage innings such as that played by Smith.

Sinclair and Sulzberger certainly impressed at the crease, but both fell in the 60s.

Based in Napier, the 28-year-old Smith made his first-class debut in 1990 and during the northern winters has plied his trade in Australia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as New Zealand.

Smith reached three figures in just under four hours without giving a chance, then made Canterbury suffer even more.

His next 50 runs came in 37 minutes from 47 balls as he swept, cut and drove with flair.

He has been the first player to 500, then 600 runs, this season.

- NZPA