Two into one doesn't go, not even in cricket

Cricketers have been wondering for years how to get rid of two troublesome batsmen at the same time, but it happened today at Jade Stadium in one of the more bizarre incidents of a weekend full of incident in the Shell Cup final.

Both Central Districts batsmen, Mathew Sinclair and Craig Spearman, were taking their pads off in the dressing room at one stage after a run out incident which took eight minutes to resolve.

The pair had virtually assured CD of ultimate Shell Cup success with a sparkling 119-run second-wicket partnership.

But on 126, in the hunt for 177 to beat Canterbury, Sinclair turned for a second run off a hit to fine leg made by Spearman.

Spearman started to return for the second and then retreated. Sinclair kept on coming.

At the moment Ryan Burson's throw broke the stumps at the wicket-keeper's end, the pair had not crossed.

There was initial confusion and the aid of the third umpire was sought. Before a decision was forthcoming, Sinclair decided he was the batsman who should go. And left the field.

New batsman Ben Smith walked to the centre, but before he could take strike word was received from the third umpire that the striker was the one to go.

So Spearman then left the field.

He found Sinclair already out of his pads in the dressing room when he arrived. He told him that it was he (Spearman) who was apparently out and that Sinclair should get his pads back on.

Sinclair was then met just before he stepped onto the field by umpire Brent Bowden who told him that he couldn't go out, it was actually Spearman who should be out there.

Spearman had by this time taken off his pads only to be told he was to go back out.

Fortunately, for CD, Smith was in just the right mood to take control and in the 52-run partnership that followed with Spearman he scored 44 of the runs.

CD captain Jacob Oram described the situation as "a little bit of a circus."

"It's pretty annoying. You don't expect that sort of thing," he said.

CD all-rounder Glen Sulzberger said: "It was frustrating for all of us. But it showed the desire of the two batters, both of who wanted to be there at the end.

"It is easy to lose concentration and focus in that sort of situation. It would have made it a little bit more difficult for us if we had had two new batsmen out there and still 50 runs to get," he said.

There were several controversial moments over the weekend.

Canterbury were incensed by a decision on Saturday which saw Gareth Hopkins given out caught behind in the second final. Bowden initially shook his head in the negative but then turned back to the player and gave him out. Television replays showed the ball had not hit Hopkins' bat.

Earlier Jacob Oram had to be given out after a TV consultation whether there was any sound involved in him being given caught out. Oram hit the ball off the face of his bat, there was a significant deviation and Bowden sought clarification, as he could do under an experimental rule in New Zealand this summer, as to whether there was any sound.

Then Canterbury were again upset at the leg before wicket decision given against one of its better one-day batsmen this season Brad Doody at the start of today's third final.

And there was a five ball over, and other counting problems caused by the umpires relying on the scoreboard at the ground instead of more traditional counting methods.

Canterbury coach Garry MacDonald said if Canterbury had won he would have commented quite strongly on the umpiring but as Canterbury had lost he would not comment.