Cracking Marshall ton decisive in downing Canterbury

James Marshall's hard-hit maiden Shell Cup century proved to be a match-winner for Northern Districts, as Canterbury's run chase came up 21 runs short in an entertaining third-round clash.

Marshall's outstanding innings included six fours and four sixes. His second 50 came off only 28 balls as Northern plundered 40 runs from its final five overs to set Canterbury an imposing target of 250.

When Geoff Allott bowled Robbie Hart with only four deliveries left in the ND innings it looked as if Marshall's chance of reaching three figures had gone. The young right-hander found himself stranded at the non-striker's end on 95. But Alex Tait pushed his first ball into the off-side for a single, leaving Marshall three balls from which to score five runs to achieve the milestone.

He smashed the next delivery from Allott wide of mid-on and the ball comfortably beat Darren Reekers to the fence.

Marshall then calmly played the next ball into the covers and raised both arms in jubilation as he completed the comfortable single.

Like many short players, the diminutive Marshall showed a liking for the leg-side, striking most of his boundaries in an arc between mid-on and mid-wicket.

Opening the innings for ND Simon Doull played a wide selection of some of the ugliest shots witnessed in Canterbury this year, riding his luck and boosting ND's run-rate on the way to a grotesque 34.

Eventually his luck ran out when he skied a crossed-bat slog at a Warren Wisneski delivery. Chris Harris had time to drive from Ashburton, park his car, get a coffee and then run in take the catch.

Canterbury began its run chase disastrously with Hastings run-out without facing a ball in the first over.

Brad Doody drove a Doull delivery back down the pitch and the ball crashed into the stumps, via the bowler's fingers, leaving the rapidly retreating Hastings short of his ground.

The unfortunate Hastings could have been forgiven for uttering the immortal words of both Yoda and former England soccer manager Graham Taylor, as he sloped off the field - "Do I not like that".

Reekers didn't last long before being yorked by Tuffey. Gary Stead then fell victim to a brilliant piece of fielding. He smashed a wide ball from Doull for what looked to be a certain four over backward point. But Neil Parlane arched backwards and threw himself in the air to take the ball in an outstretched right hand.

At 44/3 Canterbury already looked beaten.

Chris Harris and Doody put on a century stand, but their inability to find the boundary left Canterbury with too much to do in the last 15 overs. At one point both Harris and Doody had compiled 14 singles in succession.

Alex Tait removed Doody for 82 when he hit at soft catch to Hamish Marshall at cover. He was quickly followed by Hopkins, LBW for 2, and a strangely subdued Chris Harris, whose 55 had taken 89 balls.

With nine overs remaining the comparative scores were tied and two specialist batsmen, Aaron Redmond and Michael Papps, remained at the crease for Canterbury. But despite the pair adding a threatening 44 from 29 balls they were unable mirror Marshall's end of innings heroics.

Redmond's fine 39 from 27 balls took Canterbury close, but Tait and Tuffey bowled full and straight at the death to close-out the contest.