South Canterbury trail by 133 runs with only four second innings wickets in hand

Day 1 & 2: South Canterbury: 141. Jordy Gard 5-37. Liam Carr 3-6. Ryan Watson 2-43

Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki : 341. Liam Muggeridge 125. Rupert Young 75. Dean Robinson 43.

South Canterbury: 67-6 Liam Carr 3-10. Ryan Watson 2-22.

Wow. If you are a Taranaki supporter, you can ask for no more than what the team dished up today.

South Canterbury trail by 133 runs with only four second innings wickets in hand. This has been an unbelievably successful day.

Stand up Liam Muggeridge. The little left-hander drove, cut, pulled and defended as if he was on another level. Some of his driving off the back foot was Clive Lloyd like in its execution, and although half the stature of big Clive, many of the shots were reminiscent of the great West Indian.

Last man out for 125, Muggeridge had peppered the boundary 22 times with another couple of sixes to put a bit of icing on things.

The Taranaki innings was set up with a 60-run partnership along with the Rupert Young, Taranaki’s most prolific run accumulator this season. In fact, it was a surprise to see Young dismissed on 75, having batted without discomfort for 198 balls. This was another mature and disciplined knock from the stylish Young. His season has been incredibly good.

That followed with a 68-run partnership with Trent McGrath, the wristy little left hander. Muggeridge then he collaborated with Mattie Thomas for 78 runs. By now the junior Clive Lloyd had accelerated the scoring and his true abilities were on show.

Taranaki went to tea at 313-6. The game was unfolding nicely. Muggeridge and Thomas were still at the crease. The plan of still batting at the end of the day was taking place.

Tea of course can often create a change in proceedings. Taranaki discovered that to their advantage against Canterbury Country in their previous game. This time it was South Canterbury’s turn.

Boompa times four. Four wickets were lost for 28 runs. Thomas, Freakish Ben Frewin, Big Ryan Watson, and finally Muggeridge, were soon walking back to the pavilion.

It was all over for 341. Still, 200 runs ahead has got to be pretty good.

Still shaking his head in disbelief following his dismissal, Watson was in fierce mode and raced in hard. Bang. It’s fast, it’s bouncy and it’s hooked by Brown. Boompa. It’s caught by Bailey Wisnewski. One ball. One wicket. Watson is still not smiling.

Next over and the steam is following behind him in his run up. Boompa. Rooney is caught by Young. South Canterbury is 2-4. Watson is also 2-4, but his are a happy 2-4.

Beck and skipper Naylor then set about the Taranaki attack and things are under a bit of pressure. Within the blink of an eyelid South Canterbury are 2-67. These two batsmen are looking really good.

So what do you do if you are the skipper, you throw the ball to the little magician, Liam Carr.

That should do it. Yep. Four wickets are lost at 67, Carr has 3-10 to add to his 3-6 in innings one, and South Canterbury are in an impossible position.

The smiles are wide. The game is under control, and ready to be finished off on day 3.

Once again this has been a performance with plenty of quality performers. Jordan Gard, Watson and Carr bowled South Canterbury out in innings one. Muggeridge and Young in particular, but also with healthy batting contributions from Robinson, Thomas and McGrath, gave Taranaki a 200 run lead, and now a fired-up Watson and clever Liam Carr have South Canterbury in big trouble at 67-6.

One thing about this group, they all know what their job is, and they set about doing it.