Cricket: CD's title hopes dealt big blow

PALMERSTON NORTH - Otago dented Central Districts' hopes of retaining the Shell Trophy by winning their third-round cricket match by an innings and 125 runs with more than a day to spare.

Only middle-order batsman Mark Douglas showed any staying power, battling to 64 not out off 152 balls among Central's inadequate second innings of 215. Otago dismissed the last six Central batsmen for just 17 runs.

Central started the third day on Saturday at 19 for none and openers David Kelly (30) and New Zealand reject Craig Spearman (42) got them off to a sound start with a first-wicket partnership of 69.

But the home batsmen faced batting for two days to save the match, an unlikely scenario considering their current form. Despite playing on a placid wicket they made little impression on their 340-run first-innings deficit after Otago scored 505 in their first innings.

Left-armer David Sewell removed the openers, but then Shayne O'Connor came into his own with lively pace bowling to take a five-wicket bag.

Jacob Oram and Douglas added 60 runs in 68 minutes for the fifth wicket until lefthander Oram succumbed for 31.

New Zealand offspinner Paul Wiseman bowled tightly, drifting the ball into the batsmen and getting some useful bounce. His only reward was Campbell Furlong, caught in close, but he proved difficult to score off. - NZPA