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The State Canterbury Wizards posted their first State Championship four-day cricket points today in bizarre fashion.
Canterbury held out for a draw on the final day against the State Central Stags at Rangiora.
Central declared their second innings closed at 468 for six following on and with a lead of 188.
With over an hour's play left, Central skipper Mathew Sinclair declined to offer a draw and asked Canterbury to bat again on a day that had seen number of stoppages due to rain.
Canterbury, who scored 543 in their first innings, reluctantly returned to the crease and their batting language spoke volumes of what they thought of the farce the game had descended too.
However, their dourly defensive attitude gave Central bowler Mitchell McClenaghan the chance to notch a hat-trick and his best first class figures of three for five as he removed Todd Astle, Johann Myburgh and Shanan Stewart for ducks.
Bad light stopped play three more times before the game was called off with Canterbury on 19 for three.
The closing stanza overshadowed a fine second innings effort from Central who resumed their second innings this morning on 191 for four.
Greg Hay and Brendon Diamanti came together with the score at 263 for six and each compiled centuries as they staged an unbeaten partnership of 206.
Hay's 131 not out came off 300 balls and contained 14 boundaries. It was his fourth first class tonne in 21 matches.
Diamanti's 135 not out was his second century in 21 first class outings.
Canterbury took points for winning the first innings but despite going home without any points, Central retained their lead at the top of the standings on 25.
Auckland, who beat Northern Districts by 22 runs moved into second spot on 19, one ahead of Wellington, who drew with Otago but lost on first innings.
NZPA
Day3:
The State Central Stags were have been bowled out for 263 and asked to follow after falling 280 runs behind the State Canterbury Wizards first innings score at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.
George Worker reached 50 for the Stags with skipper Matthew Sinclair making 56 in their first innings.
Andrew Ellis was the best of the Canterbury attack taking 4 for 39.
Central are 191 for four in their second innings and still 89 runs behind with a day to play. Tim Weston (43) and Greg Hay (33) will resume tomorrow.
Day 2:
Central Stags 130 for three at the end of day two in their State Championship match at Mainpower oval in Rangiora.
Canterbury were 388 for five overnight and already had two centurions, Michael Papps and Rahul Dravid, back in the pavilion with Johannes Myburgh 104 not out.
Myburgh only made another three runs before becoming Brendon Diamanti’s fifth victim. Diamanti finished with the innings with five for 74 off 32.
Kruger van Wyk was also among the runs for the Wizards with 92 and Andrew Ellis made 43.
Indian legspinner Amit Mishra was wicketless on day one but ended the innings with three for 155 for the Stags.
Peter Ingram and George Worker made a solid start for Central putting on 76 berfore Ingram was dismissed for 43. Worker went shortly after for 50.
Day 1:
Three centuries highlighted an excellent day for the State Canterbury Wizards after they won the toss and elected to bat against the State Central Stags at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.
Michael Papps carved 20 boundaries on his way to 127 with Indian batting star Rahul Dravid making 102. Johannes Myburgh also reached triple figures being 104 not out at the end of the day with the Wizards 338 for five and building a healthy first innings lead.
Brendon Diamanti was the pick of the Central bowlers taking four of the five wickets to fall in his first State Championship match of the season.
