Cricket: Marshall takes lead from twin brother

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Half a world away from South Africa, where his 21-year-old twin brother, Hamish, had turned in a sterling performance in his cricket test debut for New Zealand, James Marshall yesterday played the major role in steering Northern Districts to victory over Central Districts in their Shell Cup match in Hamilton.

Two lightning throws from Marshall scored direct hits to run out Central dangerman Mark Douglas and, later, Greg Todd as the visitors struggled to build a threatening total.

Marshall then propped up the Northern innings with a career-high 51 not out as the home side went on to win by five wickets.

With five batsmen run out, Central were always in trouble. Their 198, scored in 49 overs by a team including five players making their cup debut, never looked enough to seriously challenge Northern.

After a busy start by promoted opener Simon Doull, and with Marshall later adding the mid-innings stability, the home side cruised to their first cup win of the season.

But they were not always in control.

Batting first after winning the toss and playing on the same pitch used for the trophy and cup games a week earlier, Central found few terrors in the Northern attack as David Kelly and Joseph Hill piled on 79 in 66 minutes for the opening partnership.

But when Bruce Martin had Kelly well caught by Neal Parlane for 56, and Marshall fired the ball back to wicketkeeper Robbie Hart to run out Hill for 20 one run later, the slide became an avalanche.

The ultra-consistent Ben Smith followed a further run later, and Central captain Jacob Oram went soon after in a mix-up which had him run out.

Marshall removed Douglas with a direct hit from mid-off and later dismissed Todd from backward point.

Doull, who batted at No 7 against Auckland in the opening cup game for a return of only five runs, joined Michael Parlane at the top of the Northern order. With an average of under seven from his previous 47 cup innings, Doull's promotion was a calculated gamble.

Bot not for long. He smacked five fours and two sixes and needed just 36 deliveries to reach 50 before skying a catch which bowler Andrew Schwass ran 30m to take and send Doull away for a match-high 58.

Marshall, batting at No 5 and in only his sixth cup game, quickly passed his previous best of 11 and steered his side home with 7.4 overs to spare.

"Sure, I took some encouragement from what Hamish had done," Marshall said.

"I really enjoyed watching the bro' bat. It has been a good day for the Marshalls and a great win for Northern.

"I was a tad nervous at the start because I haven't got a lot of runs lately. I've learned a lot from that."

Minutes after the game, Marshall headed back to his home-town of Warkworth where he will today present the prizes at his old school's prizegiving. Tomorrow, he flies to Christchurch for the next round in the trophy and cup.