Cricket: Ryder back on song

Jesse Ryder was back on form in today's domestic one-day match. Photo / Getty file

If the New Zealand batsmen thought their spots were safe, Jesse Ryder reminded them he wants to be back in the national set-up as he belted 96 from 67 balls for Wellington against Otago in a domestic one-day match today.

The big-hitting left-hander has been sidelined with a calf injury recently but returned to the crease at No 5 for the under-performing Firebirds as Wellington posted 276 on their way to a 25-run win against the Southerners in Invercargill.

His knock included 11 fours and five sixes and was the biggest score by a Wellington No 5 in a domestic one-day game, surpassing Neal Parlane's unbeaten 94 from the summer of 2007-2008.

Otago's chase never got under way and from 83-5 it was always going to be a tough ask and despite the best efforts of Jimmy Neesham (69) and Derek de Boorder (64).

James Franklin picked up 5-46 for Wellington, which was only the second time the all-rounder had claimed a five-wicket haul in 207 50-over games.

The loss cost Otago the chance of finishing inside the top two in the Ford Trophy and they will host Canterbury in a preliminary final on Sunday, with the winner to play the loser of the Central Districts versus Auckland clash for a spot in the grand final.

The result didn't improve Wellington's standing and they finished the competition in fifth.

In New Plymouth, Bevan Small registered the second-best figures by a bowler making their domestic limited overs debut when the right-arm seamer snagged 5-45 for Central Districts as they steamrolled Auckland by eight wickets at Pukekura Park.

The home side won the toss and invited Auckland to bat and they were on the ropes from the start as they slumped to 61-7 as Small ripped through the top and middle order.

Colin Munro (44) and Bruce Martin (12) put on 52 for the eighth wicket for the visitors, but they were eventually bowled out for 123 in the 33rd over.

Small's impressive first-up analysis was second to only Leighton Burtt's 5-26 for Canterbury against Auckland in 2006 and was the 14th time a bowler had claimed a five-wicket bag for Central Districts in a domestic 50-over game.

Central made light work of their run chase and cruised to an eight-wicket victory in the 28th over as opener Jamie How top-scored with 46.

The result pushed Central to the top of the table and they will host Auckland in a grand final qualifier on Sunday.

Canterbury, who could've finished as high as second on the ladder, were unable to get past Northern Districts at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.

The Cantabrians lost the toss and were put in to bat and posted 234-9 from their 50 overs on the back of an unbeaten 78 from Todd Astle, while Shanan Stewart chipped in with a patient 64.

Northern Districts spinner Jono Boult claimed career-best figures of 3-28 from 10 overs, while former international Graeme Aldridge picked up 3-53 from his 10 overs.

After falling to 39-3 when the returning Daniel Flynn departed for seven, Northern's run chase was rarely in doubt as Hamish Marshall made 83 and Anton Devcich finished unbeaten on 79 to get the visitors home in the 45th over with four wickets in hand.

The result did nothing for Northern though who finished with the wooden spoon in the eight-round competition.