Cricket: Memory of Tait blitz lingers

By Terry Maddaford

Canterbury cricket coach Garry MacDonald is having a heck of a time trying to convince his players to forget about the disaster which cost his team last year's Shell Cup.

Before heading back to Hamilton for tomorrow's semifinal against Northern Districts at WestpacTrust Park, MacDonald admitted he and the team were haunted by memories of one Alex Tait over which cost Canterbury any chance.

Chasing a modest 190 to win, Canterbury were on target at 117 for five when Tait came in to bowl the 29th over. Within six balls it was all over as Chris Harris, Lee Germon, Warren Wisneski and Mark Priest all fell to catches. At 117 for nine, their Cup dream was shattered.

"They are terrible memories," said MacDonald. "I'm trying to deflect that as we prepare to head back to the ground for the first time since that game.

"Unfortunately some of the players have long memories."

Provided Llorne Howell takes his place - he missed Saturday's minor semifinal against Auckland with a back injury - eight of the players from the 1998 final seem certain to play tomorrow.

MacDonald said they would probably take 13 players north, including Howell and Shane Bond, who was 12th man against Auckland.

While happy to win with 22 overs to spare in Christchurch, MacDonald conceded Auckland had had one of those unlucky days when nothing went right.

"We have had a couple of those this season," he said. "You know, those games when everything you hit is caught, and when we did the same it was just out of reach. Still, we were fired up and played well.

"We are taking it one game at a time. If we are to win the Shell Cup, we have to win everything.

"At the moment ND are in our way and we have to see them off. I'm sure they will put up a better show [than Auckland]. They are not going to give their title away lightly. They are a very competitive, tight unit."