Cricket: ND crushed by Canterbury

Northern Districts lost by an innings and 114 runs. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Canterbury legspinner Todd Astle delivered a rapid execution to Northern Districts this morning, who slumped to an embarrassing innings loss in a Plunket Shield cricket match at Whangarei.

Umpires lifted the bails at Cobham Oval just half an hour after the third day began as Astle claimed five of the six wickets to fall for just 21 runs, the defending champions' middle and lower order displaying an inept technique against spin.

Resuming at 72 for four - still 155 runs short of making Canterbury bat again - Northern Districts' second innings lasted less than seven overs.

The win by an innings and 114 runs bore similarities to the last time Northern Districts hosted Canterbury, the 10-wicket loss in Hamilton last summer one of their few low points in a dominant domestic campaign.

The rot set in from the second ball of the day when Astle when had debutant Keir Bettley trapped in front.

One ball later Jono Boult was caught and bowled as the 24-year-old spinner began a dream spell of five for 14 off 3.5 overs. His career-best figures of six for 28 took him to 15 scalps this season at an average of 21.

Astle removed Joseph Yovich for an innings-high 25 before bowling the last pair. The only other wicket today was claimed by Australian pace bowler Mitchell Claydon, who snared six victims in the match to mark a fine Canterbury debut.

Canterbury dominated the match from the outset, with opener Rob Nicol's 101 a standout in their only innings which ended late yesterday at 326, something the hosts never came close to matching in digs of 119 and 93.

- NZPA