Canterbury make good use of new pitch to embarrass Otago

On a pitch which had been relaid during the winter, and which appeared to be quite acceptable for State Shield one-day cricket, the Canterbury Wizards were far too good for the Otago Volts, winning their match at Invercargill's Queen's Park by 117 runs.

Winning the toss, Otago put the visitors into bat in warm conditions.

The Canterbury openers were controlled and watchful, with the result that a good foundation was set by them.

Michael Papps top scored with 65, while Shanan Stewart (45) and Chris Cairns (43) gave fine support. If Cairns continues this form to the World Cup he will be of great benefit to his country.

Otago, with 14 wides, would be concerned with this aspect of their game.

Canterbury totalled 232 and could have scored a few more but faltered slightly towards the end of their innings.

The Otago bowling was adequate without being outstanding. Kerry Walmsley took three for 46 and Nathan Morland took two for 25. Shayne O'Connor was looking good when his first seven overs had cost only 16 runs but he conceded 19 from his last three though still managed to finish with one for 35. James McMillan suffered early and ended with one for 48 and Warren McSkimming took one for 38.

Otago, setting out after the 233 required for victory, made heavy weather of the task and at one stage, when 66 for eight wickets, looked like being severely embarrassed.

Its tail of O'Connor and Walmsley scored 22 and 25 not out respectively and showed the top order batsmen what could have been done.

The pitch may have changed slightly from the Canterbury innings but basically it was as Otago coach Glenn Turner stated "bad shot selection" which led to his team's defeat.

"Next time we should stay at Stewart Island," he said, "and perhaps a rough ferry crossing in the morning may wake us up."

Dismissed for 115, Otago were soundly defeated by their northern neighbour with Hayden Shaw returning the outstanding one-day figures of five for 14 from 8.1 overs.

He cleaned out the Otago middle-order to effectively squash any hopes of an Otago revival.

Stephen Cunis, with three for 17, and Chris Martin (two for 33) completed the Canterbury bowling success.

Otago will have to improve dramatically in their next game on Sunday to have a chance of a top three spot while Canterbury are, perhaps, finally on the up.