Cricket: No slacking in sixth cup bid

By Terry Maddaford

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald won't buy into the argument that his side are a certainty to win today's Shell Cup cricket final against Wellington at the Basin Reserve.

"It is a two-horse race and anything can happen," said MacDonald from Wellington where his team have been based for a couple of days since seeing off Northern Districts in their lop-sided semifinal. "We certainly haven't written them [Wellington] off.

"But, all things considered, if both teams play to their potential we are going to win. That doesn't mean there will be any complacency among my players. They will be given that message very clearly.

"But most guys in our team are either playing as professionals or at least have a professional attitude so that should not be a problem."

MacDonald and his team see the batting of Roger Twose, Gavin Larsen's bowling and the allround skills of Richard Petrie as the hurdles in Canterbury's chase for their sixth Cup triumph in eight years.

To counter such threats, Canterbury can point to batting, bowling and all-round strength rarely seen at this level.

MacDonald will again give Craig McMillan "his head" to bat the way he does best but is also wary that apart from McMillan and Chris Harris, few of his top players have had much batting in recent games.

Canterbury should have too many guns for Wellington. At full strength, they are a class above the rest and it would be something of a surprise if the final did indeed go the distance.