KEY POINTS:
Shanan Stewart and Michael Davidson made decisive contributions as Canterbury grabbed the initiative in the State Championship cricket final against Wellington yesterday.
Stewart stroked an intelligent, unbeaten 84 on the fourth day at the Basin Reserve in the capital before Davidson delivered a series of knockout blows to reduce Wellington to 14 for four in pursuit of their victory target of 249.
Stewart was denied the opportunity to post a deserved century when skipper Kruger van Wyk declared Canterbury's second innings at 221 for eight.
That bold decision was immediately vindicated when left-arm swing bowler Davidson cut through Wellington's flimsy defences to take four for one in an inspired spell of four overs and gift his side every chance to win their first domestic first-class title in a decade.
Matthew Bell failed for the second time in the match, playing down the wrong line to be bowled for one.
Captain Michael Parlane did not trouble the scorers before prodding forward and offering a regulation catch in the slips. Three balls later Grant Elliott did not offer a shot and paid the price when adjudged leg before wicket and not long afterwards Davidson struck again by bowling Steve Gellatly for a duck.
Stewart said Canterbury were hoping to take one or two wickets after van Wyk declared.
"To get four was absolutely magic and sets up a great day for us tomorrow," he told Radio Sport.
Stewart's innings represented just the second half-century of a match dominated by both the ball and bad weather.
Most of his colleagues went missing in action before Canterbury, who led by 27 runs on the first innings, declared after Wellington international Mark Gillespie returned career best figures of six for 42.
The elements did not impact negatively yesterday, with clear, sunny skies greeting the players for the first time this week as Canterbury resumed at 10 without loss.
Fast-medium bowler Gillespie produced storm clouds all of his own making, though, making life uncomfortable for the Canterbury batsmen.
He charged in with intent and his opening spell of eight overs earned him figures of three for eight as openers Todd Astle and Michael Papps and No 3 Johann Myburgh were all cast aside in quick time.
Astle's dismissal for 14, trapped leg before wicket, represented Gillespie's 200th wicket at first-class level, but he was far from finished, returning later in several spells to add to his haul.
He ended with his best figures and his 10th five-wicket haul in a first-class career spanning 50 matches.
Through it all Stewart stood firm for 253 minutes, holding the Canterbury innings together with a thoughtful innings notable for the solidity of his defence and determination to play straight.
He punctuated his knock with nine fours and found assistance from Brandon Hiini, who made 37 as they put on 80 at a good clip for the seventh wicket, and Iain Robertson, who contributed 27.
- NZPA
