Cricket: CD show finals poise

Neil Broom took the long-handled approach but it wasn't enough as Central Districts cleaned up in the State Shield one-day semifinal yesterday.

Broom's defiant innings of 72 gave some order to Otago's challenge, which ultimately came up short at McLean Park in Napier as Central Districts prevailed by 18 runs to confirm their place in the final on Sunday against Canterbury.

Perennial under-achievers on the domestic front for more than a decade, Otago at various times looked capable of running down Central Districts' 274 for seven but their hopes ended for good when Broom swished once too often in the 48th over.

He stepped inside a fullish delivery from Lance Hamilton when looking to work the ball behind leg, only to miss and become the sole Otago batsman to be bowled.

Broom returned to the pavilion with Otago still 32 shy of their target with 12 balls remaining after holding his team's innings together by striking his runs off 76 balls, with four fours and three sixes.

Allrounder Broom took the opportunity to show his wares following the crucial run out of star import Jonathan Trott for 34.

Trott, a South African with aspirations of playing for England, entered the game boasting a shield average this summer of more than 100 and eased into his work after coming to the crease with Otago at 72 for two.

He struck four boundaries and was just looking threatening when he paid the ultimate penalty for under-estimating the fielding abilities of Central Districts captain Jamie How.

Otago have been heavily reliant on Trott this summer and his departure left the stage to Broom, a much less trumpeted acquisition for the southerners, to exhibit his burgeoning talents.

He did that to effect, benefiting from two dropped catches as he kept the Otago innings afloat.

Central Districts head to Christchurch on Sunday for the third final in three seasons. They lost the decider to Northern Districts last year after beating Canterbury in the final a season earlier.

- NZPA