Canterbury Kiwis bounce back from loss

The Canterbury Kiwis bounced back from there loss against Inverell, with a comfortable victory against Tamworth in their latest one-day game then following this up with a solid performance in the first day of two against the North West President's XI in Gunnedah.

Batting first against Tamworth the Kiwis posted a competitive total of 239/7. Openers James Biddick and Shannon Dunnett put on 47 for the first wicket, Dunnett making 22. Biddick and skipper Alex Hedges then combined for a 106-run partnership before Hedges was out for 58. Chris Sowden (25) and Iain Robertson (43 off 21 balls) also formed solid partnerships with Biddick, who was eventually dismissed for a well compiled 74 in the 47th over.

The Canterbury bowlers, in particular the spinners Fraser Hawes (4-40) and Robertson (2-21), kept the locals tied down and they were eventually dismissed for 201. Josh Coll picked up 2-48 while David Hay and Brandon Hiini also picked up a wicket each.

The team then travelled to Gunnedah, where they held the upper hand after day one of two against the North West President's XI.

The Canterbury Kiwis won the toss and batted first, eventually declaring at 321/7. The players batted well in partnerships and were able to establish dominance on a good batting wicket. Sowden made 70, Coll 65, Robertson 55 not out, Andrew Robertson 42 and Michael Jones 31 retired hurt with a sprained ankle.

The declaration came with 30 minutes remaining in the day's play and a fiery spell from Hiini (2-5) and David Hay (1-12) left the home side reeling at 17/3 at stumps.

Day two of the match saw the Kiwis continuing their domination with the ball, dismissing the North West President's XI side for 131. David Hay was the pick of the bowlers with 3-29 while Hiini finished with 2-14, with Coll, Hawes and Iain Robertson collecting a wicket each.

The Kiwis went into their second innings with a 190-run lead and eager to quickly increase this total. After just 11 overs, the Kiwis declared after amassing 90 runs for just the loss of one wicket, with Iain Robertson finishing on 60 not out off 36 balls.

The quick scoring of the Kiwi openers gave the team a lead of 280 with a minimum of 49 overs to attack the North West batters.

After capturing two early wickets, Canterbury struggled as a 144-run partnership eventuated before the third wicket fell in the 37th over. The Kiwi bowlers continued to work hard, but the hot 38 degree conditions and some sloppy fielding saw the North West side hang on to close of play to be 232/7 off 58 overs, giving the match a drawn result.

Hiini and Hawes picked up two wickets with Hay and Iain Robertson each finishing with one.

Although disappointed not to dismiss the North West team twice, the Canterbury Kiwis were pleased with their final workout as they take on the Northern New South Wales Emus in a 50-over match on Friday, and then a three-day 'Test' starting Monday, January 20.