Hawke’s Bay v Canterbury Country: Day 2

DAY 2 WRAP UP

A day of good cricket made up Day 2 of the Hawke Cup Challenge between Hawke's Bay and Canterbury Country. Starting the day a little behind the pace, Canterbury Country made up for it with some great late partnerships. Sam Chamberlain and Brayden Hill both ground out fifties, while George Gunn smoked 40 from #11 to drag his side to 352.

With a pretty flat deck, it probably wasn't as big a score as the number suggests, but it was certainly enough to turn the contest into a one-innings shootout and ensure Hawke's Bay went into bat with scoreboard pressure.

Hawke's Bay lost Jack Boyle relatively early, and Sam Chamberlain (bowling a huge spell on one functioning knee) took Brad Schmulian to to ensure Canterbury Country had taken the two biggest prizes.

Baylee Foote, Will Clark and Bayley Wiggins absorbed the pressure well after those blows, taking Hawke's Bay to 181/3 at stumps and again finishing the day with their noses in front but with the contest still well poised.

Napier's weather looks iffy this morning, and forecasts suggest there could be some delays to play during the day, which may add some extra juice to the wicket while also ensuring Canterbury Country need to get a move on to ensure the rain doesn't win out on the day.