Cricket: CD spin rivals into rubble

Jamie How. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today.

New Plymouth's Pukekura Park is not generally kind to spinners because of the short nature of the boundaries but Central Districts' three left-arm slow bowlers had a field day, spinning their side to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Northern Districts in a domestic T20 cricket championship match yesterday.

George Worker, Mike Yardy and Ian Blackwell between them took six for 61 from 12 overs as Northern Districts were bundled out for 110 in 18.5 overs on a sticky wicket after a week of heavy rain in Taranaki, Worker ending with the outstanding figures of three for 18 off four overs.

Only opener Brad Wilson was able to make a significant contribution for Northern Districts with 37 off 23 balls, the visitors losing their last nine wickets for 43 runs as the spinners made the most of the slow pitch and pace bowler Michael Mason (two for 16 from 3.5) adapted to the conditions superbly with consistently good slower balls.

Central Districts had a hiccup at the start of the run chase losing two early wickets but captain Jamie How steadied the ship, patiently waiting for the short ball which he was able to dispatch over the short square boundary on four occasions in his 35.

Ross Taylor (35 not out) and Kieran Noema-Barnett (15 not out) guided the hosts past the target with 15 balls to spare after an unbeaten 54-run partnership.

Central Districts moved level with Northern Districts on 18 points as a dog fight looms for the two final spots, though leaders Auckland (24) need only one win from their final two matches to secure their spot in the January 2 decider.

Rob Nicol celebrated his recall to the New Zealand T20 side by leading Canterbury to a thrilling five-run win over Wellington in Timaru yesterday, keeping alive hopes of a spot in the final.

Nicol pasted the Wellington bowlers all around Aorangi Oval in scoring 85 from just 48 balls, an innings which included nine fours and four sixes, setting up Canterbury's imposing total of 207 for six.

Wellington were on track for victory when an in-form Jesse Ryder and Luke Wright brought up their second opening partnership of more than 100 runs in three days, but when Englishman Wright departed for a brilliant 64 off just 29 balls, and Ryder was dismissed soon after for an equally impressive 59 off 33, Wellington's chase stuttered.

They ended up falling five runs short in a high-scoring affair but they lost just four wickets and the flight home will be a sombre one knowing their title hopes have suffered a big blow.

Wellington medium pacer Ronald Karaitiana was the outstanding wicket-taker on a tough day for the bowlers, taking his second successive four-wicket haul in the competition with four for 45 from four overs.

Canterbury moved up to fourth on 16 points, just two behind Northern Districts and Central Districts, who share second spot with two rounds remaining.

Wellington are fifth on 14 points, still with hope of reaching the January 2 final but now reliant on otherresults.

- NZPA