Cricket: Nash looking good for test

CHRISTCHURCH - New Zealand allrounder Dion Nash's goal of playing in the first cricket test against the West Indies at Hamilton starting on Thursday came a step closer to realisation yesterday.

He got through a solid workload in his first fully competitive outing since being injured in India.

Nash relished splendid batting conditions at Lincoln Green in Christchurch to post an unbeaten 64 from 82 balls and then delivered four overs at brisk pace as New Zealand scored 370 for six before a Canterbury XI replied with 37 without loss.

"Dion's making good progress. He had a good long bat the crease and the medical panel wanted him to see him bowl about 90 per cent, which he seemed to achieve," coach David Trist said.

The next test for Nash comes today in seeing how he recovers from his most strenuous workout so far since breaking down five weeks ago in India.

"He has to back up and bowl again and that will be the next challenge," Trist said.

Almost all the New Zealand batsmen made the most of ideal conditions, with only Nathan Astle being dismissed for single figures.

The Canterbury selection had the incentive of a new ball each session to help keep them interested and they responded well on a flat wicket.

Craig Spearman, opening in the absence of Gary Stead, struck a swift 75 in 69 balls with 11 fours and two sixes and shared a 71-run stand with skipper Stephen Fleming, whose first seven scoring strokes were boundaries.

Craig McMillan, returning after a broken finger, also benefited from time in the middle, making 43 and teaming with Chris Cairns to add 67 in even time, Cairns cracking seven fours and a six.

But it was Adam Parore and Nash who enjoyed batting the most in their West Indies warm-up, Parore plundering 15 fours in his unbeaten 77 while Nash struck 11 fours and two sixes in his innings.

- NZPA