Cricket: Rain ruins end to Auckland clash

Auckland are in third place after the first stage of the domestic competition ended yesterday.

Despite having their match with Canterbury at Hagley Oval rained out Auckland are not far off the pace.

With the four-day competition about to give way to one-day games for five weeks, Canterbury lead with 20 points from Wellington (14), Auckland (13), Central Districts (12), Otago (5), and Northern Districts (2).

Canterbury, Wellington and Auckland will play the three bottom teams in the second stage of the competition next month.

Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe said consistency had been the key factor in his team heading the table. "I think the boys have played very consistent cricket. It's come from the winter preparation we had, in the gym and at the new indoor centre," a satisfied Sharpe said. "Everyone knows their jobs.

"The guys have always had the ability and the promise, but have never been able to deliver.

"In recent seasons they have got hundreds or five-wicket bags, but couldn't build on them.

"The telling factor this year has been seven hundreds and three five-wicket bags."

Two attempts were made to restart the match yesterday, but only 7.2 overs were bowled before persistent rain forced an abandonment at 1.30pm.

* It took just 58 minutes for Northern Districts to continue a dismal summer, losing to Wellington by 94 runs in Hamilton.

Northern, requiring 125 runs to win and with only three wickets in hand, always needed something special at Westpac Park, and it did not happen.

With the help of the new ball, Wellington wrapped up the innings for the addition of only 30 runs.

The outright loss was Northern's third from five games and left them firmly at the bottom of the table.

Opener James Marshall looked compact until he was trapped leg-before for 33.

Otherwise, the home batsmen too often made a start but gave their wickets away against a patient Wellington attack.

Disappointed players went into a closed-door meeting with team management immediately afterwards.

* In New Plymouth, Central wrapped up their outright victory by 134 runs against Otago.

The visitors, chasing 433 for victory, were dismissed for 298, losing their last five wickets for 71.

Two wickets in two balls by paceman Michael Mason sparked Central into life.

- NZPA