Broom heroics in vain in massive chase of 411

Canterbury 410 for 5 (Nicol 132, Papps 78, Fulton 88, Stewart 55*) beat Otago 371 for 7 (Broom 164, Butler 53*, Haig 46) by 39 runs
Scorecard

Batting went into fifth gear at the Aorangi Oval in Timaru as Canterbury, boosted by Rob Nicol's century, hit 410 for 5 - a record total in New Zealand domestic cricket. Otago took up the challenge in their chase and Neil Broom, who helped himself to a big hundred, made Canterbury sweat but they ultimately won by 39 runs.

Nicol and Michael Papps got Canterbury going with an opening stand of 160 in 25 overs. Papps made a quick 78 off 79 balls before he was bowled by Broom. Canterbury more tham doubled their score during the second half of the innings, propelled by another century stand. Nicol and Peter Fulton added 127 for the second wicket before Nicol departed for 132. Fulton fell 12 short of his century but there was more misery in store for the Otago bowlers as Shannan Stewart led a late assault, smashing 55 off 21 balls - with four fours and five sixes - to take Canterbury past 400.

That surpassed the 376 for 3 by Central Districts against Otago at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, in 1996-97. The only Otago bowler to concede less than six an over was Nathan McCullum, who took 1 for 56 off his ten overs.

Otago lost Leighton Morgan for 4 in the second over but the joy was shortlived for Canterbury as Broom cut loose, as did Shaun Haig who made 46. Three consecutive half-century stands (including two 90-plus stands) made things interesting. When McCullum fell in the 41st over, Otago had lost half their side with another 131 needed. Their best hope was for Broom to stick around till the very end but he fell in the 43rd over for a career-best 164, coming off 130 balls with 12 fours and seven sixes. Ian Butler's frenetic unbeaten 53 off 26 balls gave Otago hope but in the end, their brave efforts ended at 371. A total of 781 runs were scored, making it the overall fourth highest match aggregate in limited-overs.

The win puts Canterbury in second place in the points table after five rounds, but Otago are at the bottom.