Latham, bowlers star in Canterbury's close win

Canterbury's bowlers hunted in a pack to bowl their team to a nine-run win over Northern Districts in their Super Smash clash at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Northern Districts were restricted to 152 for 7 in 20 overs. That, after Canterbury put up 161 for 7 after electing to bat, riding on opening batsman Tom Latham's 57-ball 82.

The win left Canterbury tied second with Auckland on 20 points. Their hopes of qualifying for the preliminary final rest on the match between Otago and Wellington (on 16 points) on Tuesday. If Otago win, Canterbury will be through, while a Wellington victory could result in the net run rate deciding the progress of teams.

It would have been a much more comfortable win for Canterbury but for a sixth-wicket stand of 61 between Daryl Mitchell (33) and Scott Kuggeleijn. The duo's 37-ball stay lifted Northern Districts from 73 for 5 - 64 of which had been scored by BJ Watling (37) and Tim Seifert (27) - in the 13th over. When Mitchell fell in the third ball of the 19th over, Northern Districts needed 28 off nine balls. Kuggeleijn fought hard, but despite his best efforts, Northern Districts could only score 18 more . Kuggeleijn stayed unbeaten on 38 off 21 balls that had come with the help of two fours and as many sixes.

Canterbury's bowlers shared the wickets around. Kyle Jamieson and Tim Johnston took two wickets each, while Ed Nuttall, Andrew Ellis and Todd Astle finished with a wicket apeice.

When Canterbury batted, Latham carried them through almost the entire innings, staying at the crease for 19.1 overs of the side's innings. He found support from Peter Fulton (36 off 31) with whom he added 77 for the third wicket that helped them recover from 27 for 2. None of the other batsmen made any noteworthy contribution, but Latham pinged seven fours and two sixes ensuring Canterbury maintained a decent run rate.

All of Northern Districts' bowlers, with the exception of left-arm spinner Ronnie Hira, who opened the bowling, found themselves among the wickets, with medium pacer Nick Winter (2 for 30) leading the way.