Canterbury Crusaders met an Invitation XI at Christchurch's Hagley Park on Sunday, to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of New Zealand.

The Invitation XI batted first and made 248/12. The score is explained by two batsmen resuming their innings when everyone was out. Rod Latham, who played 33 ODIs and four tests for New Zealand (top score 119) went first ball. Later on he came back to hit 28 with five fours and a six. Another former Canterbury player, Andrew Nuttall, made the top score of 75. Chris Jack, Crusader lock took 2/10. Lee Germon and Debbie Hockley were the other Test players on show.

The Crusaders, aided by Aaron Mauger (64*) and Justin Marshall (61) passed the Invitation team's score on the last ball of their innings in front of a crowd of over 5000. Nuttall took 5-20.

The gala day raised over $23,000, with sponsors paying $5 a run and $50 a wicket, catch or stumping.

A lunchtime auction made over $7500, with Chris Harris' ICC Trophy winning shirt going for $380 and a bat signed by the White Ferns, for $290. Katrina Keenan's band, Fab 3, warmed up the crowd earlier on, on a hot day enjoyed by all. At least this number are expected for a rather more serious event, the Shell Cup second final, at Christchurch's Jade Stadium, on Saturday.

While Francis Payne assures me the game will not be recorded for the 2001 New Zealand Cricket Almanack, it provided lots of runs and excitement.

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