Cricket: Taylor toys with CD

Sarah Taylor. Photo / Getty Images

English import Sarah Taylor toyed with Central Districts as her Wellington women's cricket team stormed to an emphatic 101-run win in a domestic one-day match today.

Taylor was imperious as she stroked a quality 114 off only 117 balls to guide Wellington to their fourth win in five matches after an imposing 288 for nine proved far too much for the home side at Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North.

Central Districts never threatened to challenge that total, instead batting out time near the end as they finished on 187 for eight.

Taylor proved the star turn as she struck 12 fours and shared a third wicket partnership worth 116 runs in close to 20 overs with New Zealand allrounder Sophie Devine, who contributed a highly polished 56 from 64 deliveries.

Devine was also a thorn in the side of Central Districts with the ball as she took two for 16 off nine tight overs, a more than handy back-up effort to Amanda Cooper, who took three for 31 off her full complement.

The bonus point victory saw Wellington lift their points haul to 19, the same as Canterbury, and ensure their presence in next weekend's final against the southerners in Christchurch.

Canterbury had something of a setback today, losing for the first time as Otago earned a 20-run away victory at QEII Park.

Katey Martin led the way for Otago with 61 off 72 balls while Suzie Bates made 41 and Kylie Crowley 37 as the visitors posted 215.

Canterbury's response fell short, thanks to some intelligent bowling from Emma Campbell, who took three for 25 off her 10 overs, with Hayley Jensen the best of the batsmen with a fighting knock of 52 before she was run out with her side 38 runs shy of their target.

Rain meant no play was possible in the third match between Auckland and Northern Districts at Hamilton's Seddon Park.

- NZPA