Cricket: Northern win State Shield

Paceman Graeme Aldridge sealed a record-breaking season to lead Northern Districts to their second State Shield one-day cricket title in three years in New Plymouth today.

Aldridge set a domestic one-day season record of 30 wickets as his four for 38 off nine overs led Northern to a 20-run win over defending champions Central Districts at Pukekura Park.

The Daniel Vettori-captained Northern were defending just 190 but thanks to Aldridge's demolition of the top three Central batsmen, and some key scalps from allrounder Joseph Yovich, Northern dismissed the hosts for 170 in the 48th over.

Not yet recognised by the national selectors, Aldridge confirmed his status as the form bowler of the one-day season as he broke Andre Adams' record of 28 scalps for Auckland in the 1999-2000 season.

With Daryl Tuffey applying the brakes, Aldridge did the damage at the top, removing dangerman Jamie How caught behind, Craig Spearman leg before wicket and Ross Taylor bowled in an opening six-over spell of three for 21.

New Zealand batsman Mathew Sinclair looked to be carrying Central through with a slick 50 off 69 balls including a huge six off Vettori, but when he charged Yovich and was caught at third man the momentum swung again.

Central were then reliant on captain Glen Sulzberger, and with 50 required off the last 10 overs with four wickets in hand they had their noses in front.

But Vettori cleverly rotated his five bowlers as Yovich struck again to end with three for 42 and Aldridge bowled Lance Hamilton, before No 11 Brent Hefford's run out saw Sulzberger stranded on 40 not out.

Veteran left-arm paceman Hamilton was again Central's star with the ball, ending with three for 44 off 10 overs including the big wicket of Vettori for nine.

Hamilton ended with 18 wickets for the season at 17.56 apiece -- second only to Aldridge's tally.

Vettori was again Northern's big hope with the bat after back to back centuries opening the innings against Auckland and Canterbury in the past week.

But after two early boundaries he played a loose cut shot at Hamilton and Hefford gleefully held the catch at third man.

Former Glamorgan batsman Alun Evans topscored with 39 off 64 balls while New Zealand international Hamish Marshall had the base for a useful score before being removed by some How brilliance.

Attempting a sharp single to backward point, Marshall was run out by a direct hit for 30 as Northern staggered to 190 for nine after 50 overs.

Both teams were missing key players through injury, with Central hit hardest by the absence of New Zealand allrounder Jacob Oram and paceman Michael Mason.

Northern were without key allrounder Scott Styris who was advised to rest his knee injury by New Zealand Cricket medical staff.

- NZPA