Cricket: ND building big lead in trophy final

By TERRY MADDAFORD

TAUPO - A record 82-run partnership for the last wicket against Auckland by Northern Districts tailenders Simon Doull and Bruce Martin is already set to play a significant part in deciding the outcome of the Shell Trophy final.

By the time the silverware is handed over - possibly as early as tomorrow - it may well prove to be the winning difference as Northern chase their first Trophy success in seven seasons.

Those 82 runs - just seven shy of the 22-year-old record against all teams - accounted for all but two of the 84 runs Northern were in credit after both sides had completed their respective first innings in Taupo yesterday.

By stumps, again drawn early because of failing light, the home side had increased their lead to 124 runs with all second innings wickets to fall.

The rearguard action - stop-start at the end of play on Sunday - continued yesterday morning in the same rollicking manner.

Doull smacked another four boundaries in adding 20 to his overnight 43 in a 23-minute blitz as Northern galloped from 259 to 292.

Martin played his part with 20 invaluable runs before being taken at the wicket by Reece Young.

Auckland needed a strong start but were denied it. John Aiken departed in an unusual manner for six with the total at just 13. Aiken snicked the ball, Robbie Hart grabbed a good catch and watched as Aiken took two or three steps away and stopped.

With umpire Dave Quested still to raise his finger, Aiken assumed he had been granted a reprieve but only until the Northern players, led by bowler Joseph Yovich, continued their appeal.

Quested, now halfway down the pitch, realised Aiken was awaiting his decision and eventually sent him in on his way.

Stephen Lynch, enjoying his time back at this level, joined his captain, Blair Pocock, in a second-wicket partnership which threatened to get the visitors back into the final.

They seemed set to take Auckland through to lunch, but Lynch departed for 29 and Lou Vincent followed immediately after the interval.

At 80 for three the castle was beginning to crumble. By tea it was on the verge of collapse.

Six wickets fell in the post-lunch session with just 97 runs added - four to leg-before-wicket decisions, just reward for accurate bowling on a pitch which has played well, with Yovich and Martin picking up three each and Doull, Scott Styris and Grant Bradburn providing the support as Auckland's innings ended at 208.

With three days to play there is plenty of time for a result which is already tilted strongly in Northern's favour.