Cricket: ND get share of lead after easy victory over Central

Dean Brownlie consolidated the innings with Travis Birt before the Black Cap fell for 35. Photo / NZME.

Northern Districts moved into a share of top spot in the Georgie Pie Super Smash after easing past Central Districts in Hamilton yesterday.

The hosts earned their third victory from four games in the Twenty20 competition, pulling level with Canterbury atop the standings after the 25-run win at Seddon Park.

Having won the toss and opting to bat, Northern lost captain Daniel Flynn in the third over and fellow opener Anton Devcich three overs later.

Dean Brownlie, in his maiden season in the pink colours of the Northern Knights, consolidated the innings with Travis Birt before the Black Cap fell for 35.

Birt set about establishing a respectable total for his side, smashing four sixes in reaching 68 from 44 balls. The Australian import put on 80 runs with Daryl Mitchell (35 from 25) for the fourth wicket before being run out on the final ball of the innings.

But the damage had been done by then as ND posted 166-4, with Adam Milne (1-19) and Ajaz Patel (2-38) the only bowlers to find any success.

In reply, the visitors lost regular wickets and failed to build any partnerships of note, with captain Kruger van Wyk top-scoring on 34 not out. Jamie How (29) was the only other batsman to score more than 20 as the ND bowlers sucked the life out of the chase.

Jono Boult and Australian Ben Laughlin each snared a brace while Daniel Vettori was wicketless but effective, ceding just 14 runs from four overs as CD slipped to a 1-1 record.