Abraham, Wakefield post unbeaten tons
Old Boys Collegians skipper Joel Abraham equalled Brendon McCullum’s quickest test century mark as Christchurch Metro twoday cricket resumed on Saturday.
Abraham and opener David Wakefield both finished unbeaten on 125 at Riccarton Domain to put OBC in control of their third round clash against Riccarton. The duo shared in an unbroken 184-run fourth wicket stand as OBC declared at 315-3.
Abraham, who played a first class match for Canterbury in 2011, was in rampant touch, bringing up his century off 54 balls. It was the same amount of deliveries McCullum needed to register the fastest test ton in his final match for New Zealand against Australia at Hagley Oval in February. Abraham clubbed 11 fours and five sixes in his 125 not out, scoring his runs all around the ground.
Wakefield was more restrained, hitting 15 fours in his unbeaten 125, which came from 175 balls.
The right-hand batsman has been in strong form with the bat in recent weeks, benefiting from a winter stint with the New Milton club in Hampshire. Wakefield was also part of the Darren Lehmann academy in Adelaide for four months last summer and played for the Tea Tree Gully club in South Australia district cricket.
Riccarton were 171-6 at stumps with Ryan Astle the chief destroyer for OBC with 4-55.
Defending champions and competition leaders Sydenham gained slight day one honours against Lancaster Park. Park mustered just 111 in their first innings with Ben McCord the lone batsman to get past 20. Tom Agnew was superb with the ball for Sydenham, taking 5-25 from 12 overs, while Mitchell Gardner chimed in with two wickets.
Sydenham replied with 170, with English opener Stuart Naden top scoring with 40 and playercoach Chris Harris, batting at No8, notching 32 not out.
East Christchurch Shirley got the better of Marist Harewood at Redwood Park.
Marist Harewood started well with the bat and were in a decent position with Des Kruger [74] and Jacob Vanner [49] both blazing away. They slumped from 127-1 to 217 all out with medium pacer Darren Broom snaffling 4-20 and Nathan McNicol and Tom Dixon both capturing two wickets.
Easts got through to 124-2 with opener Jeremy Duncan contributing 53 and wicketkeeper Hamish Teale looking in ominous touch on 48 not out.
Wickets fell regularly in a lowscoring match between Burnside West Christchurch University and St Albans. BWCU were skittled for 116, but Saints battled in reply and were 101-7 at stumps. succumbing to Matt Farrant and Scott Inglis.