Batsman cops blow as Canty force draw

Canterbury batsman Ken McClure was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the helmet by a fierce bouncer from Black Caps fast bowler Neil Wagner, but his replacement saved the day for Canterbury.

McClure was 14 not out when taking the nasty blow from Wagner’s short delivery in Canterbury’s second innings against the Northern Districts at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval yesterday.

McClure’s replacement, Theo van Woerkom, rescued a dramatic draw for the hosts, who lost five wickets rapidly towards the close of play on the final day of their Plunket Shield match.

Canterbury survived, finishing on 221-9, as Van Woerkom (eight from 32 balls) and No 11 Fraser Sheat (two from 14 balls) batted out the final seven overs after Ish Sodhi and Wagner propelled ND to the brink of snatching victory.

Canterbury No 5 McClure, who was removed from the field due to concussion, came to the crease in the 70th over following a staunch third-wicket partnership of 141 between Jack Boyle and Black Cap Henry Nicholls, who scored 108 and 54 respectively.

In 2016, New Zealand Cricket announced it would be implementing concussion replacement protocols into its domestic competitions but the first incident of its use didn’t happen until earlier this year.

Otago’s Shawn Hicks was struck on the helmet while fielding during a Plunket Shield match against Wellington in March.

Hicks was then replaced by Otago’s designated 12th man.

At 211-5, Canterbury looked to be easing to a draw after Boyle and Nicholls dug deep to bat for 244 and 138 balls in their respective innings, but the hosts suffered an almighty scare in the last 17 overs of the final session as Sodhi’s spin (4-82) and Wagner’s pace (3-50) combined and ND snared four wickets for just four runs.