Cricket: Silly shots cost ND the game

The bad old days of Northern Districts cricket were revisited at the Harry Barker Reserve yesterday as Canterbury thrashed the side by an innings and 55 runs inside two days.

The young Northern team were handed a State Championship lesson by a Canterbury side who had their feet on Northern throats from the outset and never relented.

In restricting the visitors to 310 after they resumed yesterday morning at 265-8, Northern gave themselves some hope.

Not for long.

In fewer than 35 overs and under 2 1/2 hours it was all over - dismissed before tea for a paltry 90.

It was hardly a Canterbury terror attack: just sensible well-directed bowling which Northern's inexperienced batsmen saw as an invitation to play some silly, undisciplined shots.

Following on, at four for two - openers Brad Wilson and BJ Watling failing for the second time in less than three hours - the die was again cast.

Only Mark Orchard and Joseph Yovich offered much in adding 81 in 87 minutes for the fifth wicket. However their team-mates continued to play deliveries that should have been left alone and handed the Canterbury field too many soft wickets.

The mopping up ended at 165 without any need to claim extra time, as Canterbury took maximum points and ended Northern's top three hopes.

* Wellington could be up to second place on the points table by the end of today's play in their match against Central Districts at McLean Park.

Wellington quickly took contro and took their first innings score to 402 .

At stumps Central Districts were at 106-8, and still needing 146 runs to avoid the follow on.