3 Day Tour Match: Northern Districts vs Cricketweb XI
@ Hamilton
Cricketweb XI put in their best performance of the tour so far as they put the cleaners through a very disappointing Northern Districts side. Stand in captain Dan Smith won the toss and Cricketweb XI had first use of the wicket in good batting conditions. The visitors made five changes from the team that won the first test as Bosco Fitzsimmons, Sean Fuller and David Richards got their first game time of the tour.
Cricketweb's first innings was highlighted by a magnificent unbeaten double century to star batsman Andrew Cloete, the declaration came from Smith with the score at 368/7 early on day two just after Cloete went to his 200. David Richards showed the selections he was also in good form with the stick as he compiled a comfortable 68 and never really looked in any trouble. Disappointingly for the visitors new test cap Andrew Garven continued his struggles as he fell for just 2, he will be hoping for an improved effort in the coming digs. Test quick Tim Southee pushed his claims for retention in the squad with an improved bowling effort, he finished with 3/87.
Northern Districts first innings was nothing short of a disaster, the home side failed to build any significant partnerships and just four players managed to crack double figures. Impressive youngster Kane Williamson was without doubt the star as he cracked a quickfire 43 but he no doubt would have been kicking himself getting out when he did. All the bowlers contributed in what was a fine effort from the visitors, Travis Demeza and David Kennett had their best spells of the tour collecting three wickets a peice, all rounder Sean Fuller also got three of his own in a devastating spell that ruined any hope of competitive first innings total. ND were all out for 142.
Dan Smith decided against enforcing the follow on, with batting pratice again the main agenda. Smith himself followed up his first innings globe with a patient 47 and will be content with his form heading into the final two tests of the series. Wicketkeeper Bosco Fitzsimmons hit a swashbuckling 29 and his work on tour is probably done now. Again though the star was Andrew Cloete, he followed up his first innings 201 not out with another unbeaten ton. His 107 not out was an innings played with ease and comfort, given enough time he probably could have batted for a week. Smith made his second declaration for the match when the teams were called in at 249/4.
Set a rather unlikely 475 for victory Northern Districts second innings lasted just 29 painful overs. When David Kennett took the tenth wicket of the innings with 101 runs on the board it was game over for the hosts. Peter McGlashan with 27 was the only one who showed any resistance but it was far from enough, the lowlight of the innings was the comical running between the wickets, three run out's in the top order practically destroyed any chance of Northern Districts hanging on for a draw. On the bowling side of it Greg Thomas returned to form with 2 wickets in an economical spell of six overs, Sean Fuller also grabbed two more wickets to finish with five for the match.
Cricketweb XI 368/dec/8
AP Cloete 201*, DP Richards 68, TG Southe 3/87, GW Aldridge 2/60
Northern Districts 142
KS Williamson 43, JA Yovich 33, DM Kennett 3/22, SE Fuller 3/25, TJ Demeza 3/27
Cricketweb XI 249/dec/4
AP Cloete 107*, DP Smith 47, GW Aldridge 2/30
Northern Districts 101
PD McGlashan 27, BJ Watling 15, GM Thomas 2/16, SE Fuller 2/18.
Cricketweb XI Won by 374 runs
Man of the Match: AP Cloete