Cricket: Top spell gives bowler his finest hour

Stephen Cunis produced his finest spell in first-class cricket as Canterbury none too convincingly secured first innings Shell Trophy points over Northern Districts at Dudley Park, Rangiora, yesterday.

Resuming at 127 for three wickets in pursuit of Canterbury's 344, Cunis had Northern on their knees at 134 for six and again at 199 for eight.

But Simon Doull and Matthew Hart, both former international bowlers making their way back from injury, scored half-centuries to limit Canterbury's lead to 14 runs.

Hart, with 72 not out, was involved in two partnership records for Northern against Canterbury, of 69 for the ninth wicket with Doull, who made 53, and 62 for the 10th wicket with Graeme Aldridge, who struck 22.

Canterbury then lost three second innings wickets for only 25 in a mini-collapse highlighted by a brilliant legside catch by Robbie Hart, diving far to his left to dismiss Robbie Frew off Doull's bowling.

Cunis was a late inclusion in the Canterbury team after Shane Bond was rested because of a minor abdominal injury. Even then Cunis owed his selection to coach Garry MacDonald adopting a "horses for courses" policy.

"He was picked specifically for this wicket," said MacDonald. "It has played very true but historically has been a bit up and down on the third and fourth days.

"Stephen is so accurate and he's built close to the ground, whereas [12th man] Mark Hastings bowls more into the wicket."

Medium-pacer Cunis enjoyed a stunning opening burst yesterday.

He had nightwatchman Bruce Martin caught without scoring, inflicted a similar fate on Grant Bradburn in his 100th appearance for Northern, enticed Neal Parlane to play on, and then had Joseph Yovich dropped.

It was not until his 47th delivery that Cunis conceded a run, his spell producing the spectacular analysis of 10-8-5-3. Cunis returned to complete his first five-wicket bag by having Robbie Hart caught in the gully to claim five for 74.

But the later Northern batsmen displayed admirable fighting qualities, with Matthew Hart, Doull and Aldridge combining to add 131 runs for the last two wickets.

Doull dominated the scoring while at the crease.

He was not reluctant to hit hard and high, and raised his half-century in 78 minutes from 65 balls, with seven fours and a six.

It took Hart 254 minutes and 199 balls to reach the same milestone, and in all he batted more than five hours.

- NZPA