A batsmen’s paradise at MainPower Oval saw the Plunket Shield match between the Canterbury Wizards and the Northern Knights end in a high scoring draw.
A phenomenal 1,369 runs were scored over four days with just 17 wickets falling.
The Wizards had first dig a put on 558 for five, thanks to 134 from Rob Nicol, 161 from Shannan Stewart and 112 from Dean Brownlie.
But their target was well short with the two massive centuries from the Marshall twins pushing the Knights through to 726 before the visitors were bowled out shortly after lunch on the on the final day.
Hamish Marshall was the first to raise his bat with his highest score of 170 but was later outdone by brother James who stuck 178.
Spinner Jason Donnelly took four wickets for the Wizards but they cost 257 runs as the left-armer completed a mammoth 69 overs.
Canterbury went through the motions in their second innings, losing one wicket for 85 runs before play finished.
Nicol backed up his first innings century with an unbeaten 45.
* Image of Hamish Marshall batting
Day 3: Northern Knights trail the Canterbury Wizards by 49 runs with 5 wickets in hand
The Northern Knights are closing in on the Canterbury Wizards first innings total of 558 with one day to play.
The Wizards made early inroads, removing both openers for just 26 runs this morning but Kane Williamson and Hamish Marshall dispelled any chance of a collapse as the pair piled on the runs.
They put on 198 for the third wicket before Williamson departed for 93. Hamish Marshall kicked on, hitting 23 boundaries in a fluent 170 off 174 deliveries in his highest First Class score.
Twin brother James Marshall is also in good nick and will resume tomorrow on 71 not out with the Knights just 49 runs behind with five wickets in hand.
Brandon Hiini took two for 37 off the 13 overs he bowled with spinner Jason Donnelly bowling a mammoth 52 overs and returning one for 172.
Day 2: Northern Knights trail the Canterbury Wizards by 483 runs with 10 wickets in hand
The Canterbury Wizards took their total through to 558 for 4 with the Northern Knights openers making a strong start to their reply on a day without a wicket falling at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
The early part of the day was all Canterbury with Shannan Stewart and Dean Brownlie both hitting their highest scores before the declaration came half way through the middle session.
Stewart’s knock of 161 not out included 22 boundaries and three sixes. Brownlie also raised his bat in his maiden First Class century, finishing on 112.
The Knights reply was solid without being spectacular with BJ Watling reaching 50 and Michael Parlane making 65 in just over three hours.
The pair will resume tomorrow with the Knights on 120 without loss.
Day 1: Canterbury Wizards 340/4 against Northern Knights
Canterbury batsmen Rob Nicol and Johannes Myburgh put on 172 for the third wicket to give the Canterbury Wizards an early advantage in their Plunket Shield match against the Northern Knights at MainPower Oval in Rangiora.
Myburgh was in magnificent touch, hitting a crisp 96 from just 103 deliveries, including 15 boundaries and a six.
Nicol was much more measured in his approach, anchoring the innings with a six hours stint at the wicket. He patience was rewarded with eighth First-Class century before being caught behind for 134.
Canterbury are sitting pretty on 340 at the end of day one with Shannan Stewart unbeaten on 46 and Dean Brownlie on 12.
The four wicket to fall were shared between Brent Arnel (two for 55) and Graeme Aldridge (two for 70).
* Image of Rob Nicol batting
