ND on a roll with second big victory

The music coming from the victorious Northern Knights' dressing room may have been Dire Straits, but the Knights couldn't be further from troubled times.

They secured their second victory in as many Plunket Shield cricket matches here yesterday with a nine-wicket win over the Central Stags, taking maximum points again.

That pushed them further ahead on the points ladder, with the remaining two matches in the round to finish today.

The Grant Bradburn-coached side have started the season in scintillating form, winning both matches with a day to spare, and captain James Marshall acknowledged his side's early roll.

"We've got a lot of confidence at the moment," Marshall said after Michael Parlane (66 not out off 88 balls) and Anton Devcich (39 off 28) made short work of Northern's second innings target of 126 at Cobham Oval yesterday.

"Getting such a good start is a real boost for the season – it's important to have momentum and stay ahead of the pack."

The Knights took control on day one, dismissing Central for 94 and then establishing a first innings lead of 185.

Mathew Sinclair's 93 in the second innings, and a punishing 60 off 59 balls (eight fours and two sixes) from Doug Bracewell, delayed the inevitable as Graeme Aldridge gained his first 10-wicket bag for the Knights, finishing with match figures of 11-145.

"The wicket was doing something all the way through – but our guys found a little bit more out of it," Marshall said. "Graeme Aldridge and Trent Boult really stepped up."

Wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan was the chief benefactor of some fine seam and swing bowling for the victors, nabbing a world-record 12 catches.

The home side's catching was outstanding throughout, with Brad Wilson taking a screamer low to his left at second slip to dismiss Kieran Noema-Barnett yesterday, giving Aldridge his 10th wicket. Parlane may have juggled the offering at first slip to get rid of Sinclair, but it was still an invaluable claim, with the CD veteran looking poised for his 29th first-class ton.

Marshall said the Knights didn't plan on hanging around in their chase for a small tally to win. "If you try and eke out the win you can find yourself in a hole. It was great for Michael and Anton to finish it in emphatic fashion."

Devcich's cameo again emphasised the depth Bradburn has been heralding after fellow rookie Jono Boult made a hugely important 76 in the first innings. "It's nice to have guys coming in and performing straight away," Marshall said.

It also gives the selectors a pleasing headache for the round three clash against Wellington Firebirds, starting in Hamilton on Tuesday, with possibly three frontliners available again after playing for the New Zealand Invitation XI against Pakistan this week.

- © Fairfax NZ News