Cricket: Central Districts will never say die

Sara McGlashan shows her style. Picture / Hawkes Bay Today

Everything apart from Central Districts' fighting spirit points to another Canterbury triumph in the women's final tomorrow.

Central have never won a senior women's domestic title, and Canterbury have dominated the national scene for the past decade.

And while the White Ferns-laden Canterbury side won nine from 10 games this season, their Central counterparts scrambled into the final in Christchurch courtesy of an upset loss by Auckland to Northern Districts last weekend.

When the two finalists met at the final venue - QEII Village Green - last month, Canterbury twice emerged winners, by 72 and 23 runs.

Central captain Aimee Mason was pinning her hopes on the improvement of her young team under coach Lincoln Doull since those defeats.

"That was pretty early on in our season and since then as a group we've come on a lot," said Mason.

"We're going in as massive underdogs. But we've got a lot of self-belief and we've fought our way out of a few holes this season. It's quite a young side and a lot of girls have awesome natural ability. Hopefully they'll stay at CD and we can carry it on for the next few seasons."

After losing twice to Auckland this year, Mason admitted she was virtually resigned to missing the final. Going into the last round-robin weekend they needed to beat Wellington twice and hope Auckland stumbled, which they did.

"We've been inconsistent this year but now we've got nothing to lose. It's always been Canterbury and Auckland who have won, so for us to be here is a big achievement."

Central's hopes hinge on Mason, who has scored 277 runs and taken 16 wickets this year, and fellow-White Fern Sara McGlashan.

- NZPA