Stage set for a tremendous finale in Westport

Canterbury demolished Otago in Ashburton today by 91 runs to take the five-game southern Shell Super Max series into a decider in Westport on Sunday.

Both teams are tied on eight points and the stage is set for a thrilling finale on the West Coast.

Today's game was played on a grass pitch, the first and only one of the series.

It proved Otago's downfall as Canterbury made first use of the pitch and compiled the match-winning innings of 136-3. It was by far the highest innings of the match with Otago failing to coming to grips with the conditions.

Shane Bond's first innings 36 was the best score of the day, an indication of how hard it was to get into scoring rhythm. Cleighten Cornelius carried his bat in the first innings for 35 while Otago's highest score was 35 by Craig Cumming.

Where the real difference came was in the quality of the Canterbury bowling. It was an outstanding display under Max conditions with Warren Wisneski bowling his four over entitlement in the second innings and taking 3-33.

Stephen Cunis went one better in his four overs, spread over two innings to take 4-33.

But the economy of the Cantabrians, who didn't have to use left-arm spinner Danny Bulman until the last over of the game, was the telling feature of the game. To have Cornelius bowl two overs and take 2-7 and Mark Hastings 2-16 was a tremendous boon for the home team.

However, the fact the final game is being played on an artificial pitch, on which the Otago batsmen have been so effective, has set the scene for a tremendous final game.

All hopes are that a very strong cricket community which has been developed in the Buller region will get the reward of a genuine final as both teams vie for the right to play in next weekend's semi-finals.

The only doubt for Canterbury may be the condition of fast bowler Ryan Burson who left the field during the game after pulling up in the field with a leg injury.