Shanan Stewart strokes third century of summer

Canterbury cricketer Shanan Stewart kept his name in lights with another Plunket Shield century, this time against Wellington at Rangiora today.

Stewart stroked 101 in his team's first innings of 318 on the second day of the four-day match, his third first-class century of the summer.

He was principally responsible for Canterbury earning a first innings advantage of 142 runs, which Wellington erased by the close.

Wellington made a much better fist of their second innings, advancing to 144 for two by stumps, with Neal Parlane well set on 78 not out after hitting 11 fours and one six.

He and Stephen Murdoch put on an opening stand of 124 before Murdoch departed for 59, trapped leg before wicket by Todd Astle, a spinner who then immediately picked up Cameron Merchant for a duck.

Stewart, who this month played at one-day international level for New Zealand for the first time, hit 15 fours in his seventh first-class century which spanned a tick over three hours after Canterbury resumed this morning on 103 for one chasing the visitors' 176.

He built on the earlier good work of opener Michael Papps who did not last long, adding just four runs to his overnight 60.

Stewart dominated the scorecard before being the last man out after receiving good support from Kruger van Wyk with 31 and No 10 Ryan McCone, who made 24.

Seamer Ili Tugaga was the pick of the Wellington bowlers with figures of four for 74, while left-armer James Franklin and Stewart Rhodes took two apiece.

- NZPA