Aldridge grabs share of history

by Jamie Troughton | 20th November 2009

Graeme Aldridge was still trying to fathom his part in a cricketing world record yesterday - it was all a bit much after collecting a few personal milestones of his own.

When the Northern Districts seamer nicked out Central Districts batsman Bevan Griggs during the morning session of their match in Whangarei yesterday, Aldridge gave keeper Peter McGlashan the world record for catches in a first-class match.

Among the 12 McGlashan gloved were six bowled by the Mount Maunganui right-armer, who ended with career-best figures of 11-145 for the match as ND cruised to a nine-wicket win with a day to spare.

"We heard Pete was on the verge of the record in the morning and we knew he had one to go and he got it reasonably early," Aldridge said.

"It's certainly a bit different - it's not everyday you get a world record in cricket."

Aldridge's first-innings return of 6-49, when CD were rolled for just 94, was also a special moment, celebrating his 11th season of first-class cricket and having just turned 30.

"I've got a few five-wicket bags but that was my first lot of six, which was a big thing to tick off the list because they've got an honours board for that at Seddon Park in Hamilton. It's the first time I've got  10 in a match as well so I'm pretty happy."

Aldridge credits a solid winter offseason of training for his sharp early season form.

He also had admirable backup in Whangarei from his fellow Bay of Plenty new-ball bowler Trent Boult, who took  6-55 in a miserly match return.

"I actually went for a few more runs than I would've liked but I got away with it because Boulty was at the other end bowling pretty tightly.

"He's stepping up for us in every game."

Aldridge rated the Cobham Oval lively, with enough in it to keep the bowlers interested but there was still plenty of toil needed. Inconsistent bounce caused the odd delivery to rear off a good length but otherwise it was a fair track.

Opener Michael Parlane smacked a brisk 66 not out as ND rushed to 129-1  in their second innings, after CD were dismissed a second time for 310.

The visitors had resumed still in deficit at 178-5  and once Griggs and Mathew Sinclair were removed, the writing was on the wall. Sinclair, who resumed on 85, departed seven short of his century when he was caught at slip by Parlane off Boult and only an obstinate 60no by Doug Bracewell, featuring eight fours and two sixes, prolonged the match past the lunch break.

After also beating Otago outright in the first round last week, it left Northern Districts with maximum points after two rounds and Aldridge is understandably buoyant ahead of their third-round clash with Wellington in Hamilton next week.

"It's the perfect start and hopefully the next few games go our way too and we get a nice big lead - if we keep winning, we don't need to worry about the other teams."

McGlashan, meanwhile, moved ahead of 13 other wicketkeepers who had pouched 11 catches, including Zimbabwean Wayne James, who still holds the record for first-class dismissals in a match with 13.

McGlashan's accuracy behind the stumps runs in the family.

His step-grandfather Robin Schofield holds Central Districts' record of dismissals in an innings - seven against Wellington in 1964-65.

Wicketkeepers to hold 11 catches include Australia's Rod Marsh and former English captain Alec Stewart.