Cricket: ND cruise to win with 10 wickets to spare

WELLINGTON - Northern Districts crushed Wellington by 10 wickets in the second round of the Shell Trophy at the Basin Reserve yesterday.

In the first round, Wellington were overwhelmed by Auckland by an innings and 35 runs, and even with matches still to go against Canterbury, Central Districts and Otago, it appears too difficult for Wellington to fight back for a place in the final.

After the overnight pair of Tim Boyer, who had a memorable match in completing his maiden first-class century and scoring 64 on Sunday, and Chris Nevin (31) had reached the first drinks break without further loss, the innings collapsed.

In the period before lunch five wickets were lost, several of them the result of poor shots, and Wellington were all out soon after.

After Boyer and Nevin added 72 for the sixth wicket, the last six wickets fell for 43.

It left Northern needing 27 for victory, and they safely reached their target in 5.5 overs. The match ended at 2.13pm.

After winning the Max league, Wellington were unconvincing in the Shell Cup despite being the only team to beat eventual champions Canterbury.

The position has deteriorated in the trophy to the stage where the players are in danger of finishing the competition without a win.

With Roger Twose on international duty, there is a lack of confidence among the players, a number of whom are inexperienced.