Cricket: Commanding CD grab rare Trophy success

NAPIER - Central Districts took just two hours on the third day to complete a commanding win over Otago in the Shell Trophy cricket final at McLean Park yesterday.

After finishing off the Otago second innings in the first hour, Central captain and opening batsman Craig Spearman led his team to a nine-wicket victory with an unbeaten 48 in 52 minutes.

Central lost only New Zealand under-19 skipper Jarrod Englefield in reaching a target of 76 to end the scheduled five-day fixture before it got to the halfway point.

Otago struggled to scores of 164 and 136 against an accurate Central pace attack and the home team scored 225 in their first innings.

It was Central's first Shell Trophy triumph since sharing it with Northern Districts in the 1991-92 season. Central last won the trophy outright in 1986-87.

The Otago second innings, in tatters at 12 for five on Saturday afternoon before a fighting 47 from Stephen Mather, was given some respectability by Paul Wiseman (23) and Nathan Morland (17) in the lower order.

Otago started yesterday at 89 for seven, and showed some fight to add an extra 47 runs, mainly due to a 33-run last-wicket stand between Morland and David Sewell.

With Central assured of victory, Spearman batted positively and hit six fours to race to 48 from 49 balls, while Mathew Sinclair remained 10 not out. - NZPA