Nelson suffer outright loss to Canty Country
Canterbury Country secured an outright win over Nelson in the Hawke Cup zone qualifying cricket match at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora at the weekend.
Country coach Michael Sharpe said he couldn’t remember the last time Country managed an outright win over Nelson.
‘‘It was an intense finish to a tough match,’’ Sharpe said.
‘‘We were pleased to come away with the win and the maximum points against a strong Nelson side.’’
Country dismissed Nelson for 179 in 46.1 overs. After electing to bat first, the visitors were in early trouble at 44-4. The lower order all chipped in, with Patrick Howes top scoring with 31 at No 9.
Canterbury representative Fraser Sheat took 5-65, knocking over the top order and finishing off the tail, with two wickets each for Fergus Fairbairn (2-39) and Jesse Frew (2-13).
At stumps on day one Country had the first innings win in the bag and a handy lead at 213-8 after 63 overs thanks to their lower order.
‘‘We were 52-5 so the bottom order contributed 200 runs, which proved the difference.’’
Country found themselves in similar early trouble at 43-4 and then 52-5 before Kyle Jamieson had to retire injured.
A 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Joel Harden and Brent Findlay turned the match back in Country’s favour.
Findlay was caught for 21 and Harden carried on to be the seventh batsman out for 60 at 169-7. Matt Parker (29) and Fraser Sheat then combined to push Country past Nelson.
Resuming on day two, Sheat went on to make 40 as Country were dismissed for 256 – a lead of 77. Daniel Grimes collected 5-68 and Willem Ludick 3-50.
Nelson got their second innings off to a horror start to be 16-3.
‘‘Fergus [Fairbairn] charged in and bowled a couple or yards faster and managed to put the batsmen under pressure,’’ Sharpe said.’’
Ludick dug in for 84 but struggled to find support at the other end.
A 48-run stand between Devon Serrurier (21) and Ludick allowed Nelson to erase the deficit but at 87-6 they faced an uphill battle to hold on through to stumps.
Ludick did his best before departing to a rare loose shot and Nelson soon folded for 171.
That left Country needing 94 for an outright win which they were able to do in 27.4 overs for the loss of five wickets.
‘‘There were still a few jitters chasing a niggly target but we got there,’’ Sharpe said.
At 54-1 things were ticking along nicely but three quick wickets from Daniel Grimes (3-21) had the hosts getting nervous at 57-4, with Jamieson and James Richards both nursing injured hands.
Brent Findlay led the chase with 31 off 35 balls and Harden finished the job on 19 not out.