Cricket: Northern Districts squander a promising start

Northern Districts threw away a promising start on day one of their match against Canterbury in Hamilton yesterday.

James Marshall and Nick Horsley put on 83 for the first wicket after rain delayed the start of play until mid-afternoon, but a late collapse saw the home team struggle through to 142 for five when bad light and showers resulted in an early stumps just before 6pm.

The home side at Westpac Park lost four wickets in the space of three runs as Canterbury fought back through the experienced pair of seamer Warren Wisneski and offspinner Paul Wiseman.

Horsley, a half-century maker in Northern's last championship match at the same venue against Otago, was in good touch and hit the loose ball hard in reaching 46 from 95 balls.

But just when he seemed set to notch another half-century he was superbly caught by Wiseman off his own bowling when he snatched a fiercely struck drive out of the air with the score at 83.

Marshall made a more sedate 44 but when he mishit a hook off Wisneski, Canterbury's spirits were raised and lifted further as Wiseman quickly added Hamish Marshall and Michael Parlane to his list of victims.

Wisneski picked up Mark Orchard cheaply to see Northern slump from 120 for one to 123 for five before Matthew Hart, who ended the day on 15, and Joe Yovich on two, saw the home team to an early stumps without further loss.

Wiseman finished the day with three for 24 off 11 overs while Wisneski took two for 69 off 17.5 overs.

- NZPA