Wellington hold out to deny Canterbury

Canterbury will regret batting on to leave Wellington a target of 354 runs on the final afternoon of their State Insurance match at the Basin Reserve. As it turned out, Wellington held out, seven wickets down, for the draw.

Memories of being caught short before might have been on Chris Cairns's mind as he delayed his declaration. The pitch was good enough for a strong Wellington team to chase on, but so far in this year's series, Wellington have not always put a good performance together.

Realising that they were on course to take no points out of the match, if they didn't win, Wellington at least made a genuine effort for victory, but in the end the target was too steep. Richard Jones attacked and scored 82 off 122 balls before being caught at the wicket by Brendon McCullum from Paul Wiseman's bowling.

At one stage Wellington were 263 for 3, but time for an improbable victory was running out and the Wellington lower-order, with two experienced hands, Chris Nevin and James Franklin, holding out, Canterbury were denied.

Earlier, Canterbury had the benefit of another century to Peter Fulton. It was his second of the season and when the declaration came he was unbeaten on 113, scored off 174 balls. Paul Wiseman, who scored 75 in the first innings, was also not out on 35 when the declaration came, having added 60 runs for the seventh wicket.

Jayesh Patel, the Wellington offspinner, came in for some punishment, conceding 108 runs off his 16 overs, but he did pick up three wickets - those of Craig McMillan, Chris Harris and Cairns, when the chase was on for quick runs.