Cricket: Openers provide great start

Opening batsman Robbie Frew hopes his half-century against Northern Districts will lead to more regular first-class cricket appearances for Canterbury.

A 128-run partnership between Frew, who made 53, and Riccarton club-mate Gary Stead (80) gave Canterbury a splendid start to their Shell Trophy match in Rangiora yesterday.

But the Northern bowlers, displaying admirable stamina and enthusiasm on a warm day, fought back to restrict Canterbury to 257 for five at stumps.

Frew admitted that he did not expect to be retained after scoring only one run in his two innings against Auckland last week.

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald plumped for Frew ahead of more established opener Brad Doody, who had also performed modestly in the trophy game with Auckland before making 61 in last Sunday's Shell Cup fixture.

"Robbie was called in late against Auckland and batted at No 6 and then No 1," MacDonald said.

"We felt to be consistent we should give him another game and he batted very well to justify our confidence in him."

The Northern match is Frew's 13th for Canterbury, strung out over six summers. He was not called upon at all last season.

"I was fairly nervous going out to bat," he said.

"I have been in the squad a long time but haven't played many games."

The 29-year-old Frew paid tribute to Stead, whose fluent innings of 80 followed scores of 87 against Wellington and 100 against Auckland, and further promoted his prospects of a recall to the New Zealand team.

Stead scored his runs from 141 balls, with seven fours and a lusty six to long-on off left-arm spinner Bruce Martin, who eventually trapped him leg-before.

Chris Harris (46) and Michael Papps (35) unveiled some dashing shots during a 77-run stand for the fourth wicket, but the rest of the day was hard work for the batsmen.

Only 88 runs were added in the middle session, a mere 62 after tea.

The run-rate was harnessed by medium pacers Joseph Yovich and Graeme Aldridge, and off-spinner Grant Bradburn, before Simon Doull returned with the second new ball to remove Harris and Papps in consecutive overs at 232 and 233.

- NZPA