Sherlock emerges as contender for CD

Central Districts have not lacked for fast-medium bowlers in recent seasons, with the pick of them Michael Mason having been part of the New Zealand team on its Test tour of India. But the side's first two-day outing at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln University has thrown another player into the mix, Richard Sherlock.

While he was playing for the New Zealand Academy XI, a side supplemented by internationals Mark Richardson, Paul Wiseman and Shane Bond, Sherlock hails from Nelson and is likely to be available for selection this summer. He made an early impact in the match taking 5 for 32 as CD struggled on a grassy pitch, and were all out for 70. The only player to stand firm was Jarrod Englefield, who had played his recent cricket in Canterbury but who returned to Central Districts this year. He batted at No 3 and was unbeaten on 23.

The Academy XI were spared blushes of embarrassment firstly by another of their players, who is likely to be in the CD line-up this year, Jesse Ryder who scored 34 when opening the innings and then by Bond who hit a 54-ball 71 batting at No 10 as the Academy XI finished on 173, a lead of 103 runs. Lance Hamilton led the CD attack with 4 for 47 while Andrew Schwass took 3 for 26.

CD did better in their second innings although the only member of the top-order who really fired was opener Peter Ingram who scored 52. Brendon Diamanti and Ewen Thompson put on 107 for the ninth wicket, Diamanti scoring 64 off 69 balls before being bowled by Sherlock. Thompson was 50 not out when the innings was declared at 273 for nine. Sherlock was again the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 51.

The Academy XI had made it through to 72 for 1 when the match ended, Ryder having scored another 39 runs while Richardson was 24 not out.

A feature of the game was the continuing build-up by Shane Bond as he attempts to get back into the sort of form that will allow him to play against Pakistan in the Christmas series. Reports were that he bowled well during the match and with the odd fast ball sent down. More matches, against other New Zealand associations will continue at the HPC, and another two-day game with CD started today.

Brief scoreboard:

Central Districts 70 (J Englefield 23no, R Sherlock 5-32, M Orchard 3-16) and 273-9 (B Diamanti 64, P Ingram 52, E Thompson 50no, Sherlock 4-51) drew with NZ Academy 173 (S Bond 71, L Hamilton 4-47, A Schwass 3-26) and 72-1 (J Ryder 39, M Richardson 24no).