Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Testament to the Bay Oval ability to provide big scores to batsman who apply correct technique and patience at the crease, and also offer plenty of assistance to bowlers who bowl line and length, was further cemented in a NZC Plunket Shield match last week.

Northern Districts were at home at the Mount Maunganui international ground, in a four-day encounter against traditional rivals Central Districts. Cricket aficionados were sent scurrying for their records books, as six centuries were blasted and 37 wickets fell in the four days play.

ND won the toss and elected to bat, and dominated day one proceedings to reach 346 for the loss of four wickets, at stumps. Home skipper Jeet Raval, brought up his 20th first-class century, before being dismissed with 119 runs to his name. Bharat Popli worked the ball well to belt 105 runs from 189 balls.

The home side were eventually dismissed at the end of the first session on day two, for 513. Mitchell Santner top scored with 136 runs that included eighteen 4's and four 6's. Other solid contributions were posted by Colin de Grandhomme (54no) and Brett Hampton (40).

The ND bowlers continued their sides early domination of the match. The pace attack made the early breakthroughs, with Mitchell Santner grabbing the last five Central Districts wickets, as they were bowled out for 254. Brad Schmulian was the shining light in his team's performance in hitting 108.

Northern Districts wisely elected not to enforce the follow-on and were 15 without loss at lunch, on the penultimate days play. Central Districts worked their way into the match with ND declaring at 194/7 at tea.

The visitors were set a massive target of 463 to win. At stumps, they gave little hint of their dramatic final days play fightback, at 71/2.

Central Districts skipper, Greg Hay, led the huge run chase coming in at three, after CD lost their first wicket with just 18 runs in the scorebook.

The arrival of Tom Bruce, with his side in real trouble at four down with only 74 runs on the board, turned the match's momentum on its head. The CD leader and the former Black Cap T20 International, proceeded to handle with ease all that the opposition bowlers could direct at them, on the finals days play.

The pair stuck like glue out in the centre of the Bay Oval, putting on a fifth wicket partnership of 270, before Hay was caught and bowled by Tim Pringle, with a neat 150 runs in the book.

Doug Bracewell continued his sides drive for a magical victory when he joined Tom Bruce in the middle. Bracewell hit a quickfire 50 off just 33 balls, which had the fielders retreating to protect the boundary, as he belted thirty-two runs in boundaries.

Central Districts were in striking distance of the big target when Bracewell's innings came to an end, needing 49 runs to win with four wickets in hand.

The ND spinners of Mitchell Santner and Tim Pringle, then weaved their magic, removing the final three batsmen at a cost of a solitary run. When Tom Bruce's wicket fell with 161 alongside his name, CD were just 36 runs short of a colossal upset.

Amazing is the only way to describe a match were 1379 runs were posted and 37 wickets taken - which should re-ink the Bay Oval call for regular test match selection.