Kiwi batsmen keep in touch back at home

New Zealand's top cricketers might have their minds otherwise focused for today's ICC KnockOut Trophy final in Kenya, but two of their team-mates back home showed they are keeping in good touch in preparation for their call-up to South Africa.

Test specialists, for the moment anyway, Mathew Sinclair and Mark Richardson both figured with centuries in club cricket in their regions yesterday.

Sinclair, who plays on the Horowhenua-Kapiti coast, just north of Wellington, scored 115 not out for Kapiti Old Boys. At one stage his side was 3/3 but Sinclair's control helped the side to 196/7 against Manawatu-Foxton. Sinclair hit four sixes and three fours in his innings. Manawatu-Foxton made a good chase of it in reply but was finally all out for 186.

Richardson, playing for his Albion club in the Dunedin competition, hit a fine 158 not out in his side's 295/4 against Kaikorai. Using the chance to spend valuable time at the crease, Richardson, who was dismissed for 99 in New Zealand's second Test victory over Zimbabwe last month, stayed 196 minutes and hit a six and 20 fours.

Kaikorai hit only 215 in reply to be well-beaten.

Also in Dunedin, Andrew Hore, who scored a century on the opening day of the competition last week, backed up with 157 out of his University-Grange side's total of 224 against Green Island. Green Island could only respond with 120.

Among those other regions where play was possible after the midweek storm that battered the country, former New Zealand Development side member Stu Duff returned to club cricket in the Hawke's Bay after a three-year lay-off.

And he marked his return in style with a half century for his Havelock North team and a bag of 6-14, including a hat-trick against Napier Technical with his left-arm spinners.

Another blast from the past, literally, was exhibited by former Wellington player Lincoln Doull, older brother of Test bowler Simon. Playing for Cornwall in Hawke's Bay cricket, Lincoln hit a rapid-fire 126 not out, which included a six and 20 fours against Napier Old Boys.

In Auckland, Aaron Barnes followed a half century last weekend with another 82 for Cornwall against Takapuna. Joined by Glamorgan county batsman Mike Powell, who hit 72, the pair helped their side to 301/6. Takapuna found the target far too tough. It was dismissed for a paltry 54 from only 105 balls. Former Central Districts bowler Dean Askew took 4-28 while former international and Wellington player Heath Davis took 3-2.