Cricket: ND's perfect timing

Northern Districts showed impeccable timing to win their one dayer against Central Districts in the last over at Whangarei yesterday.

The home side passed Central's 240 with three balls and two wickets to spare at Cobham Oval, a result which confirms their presence in the semifinals with one round remaining.

Their successful chase owed much to a fine 77 from teenager Kane Williamson, fresh from an unbeaten century against Wellington midweek.

Williamson hit eight fours off 104 balls and gave his team every chance after sharing a partnership worth 106 with Michael Parlane, who made 45.

James Marshall chipped in with 26 and Daniel Flynn 20 before the lower order was left to complete the deal, with Graeme Aldridge and Brad Scott getting their team over the line.

Graham Napier was the pick of the Central bowlers with figures of three for 40.

Earlier, Mathew Sinclair top scored with 62 off 89 balls for Central.