Cricket: Wellington beats CD to make State Shield playoffs

Paul Hitchcock delivered the killer blow to put Central Districts out of their misery and fire Wellington into the playoffs.

The medium pacer bowled Central captain Glen Sulzberger and tailender Michael Mason with consecutive yorkers in the 42nd over to earn Wellington an unlikely 10-run victory in the rain-affected match at the Waikanae Domain.

Central had looked set for a campaign-saving victory before Hitchcock struck.

Chasing 176 for victory in 46 overs, Central needed 18 runs off 30 balls and looked comfortable with three wickets in hand and Sulzberger humming along on 55 off just 62 balls - a handy clip on the slow Waikanae pitch.

But Central's faint semifinal hopes evaporated with Hitchcock's double blow.

It was sweet revenge for Wellington, after Mason and Jacob Oram shared an unbeaten 47-run partnership for the final wicket to lift Central to a memorable victory in the corresponding fixture last summer.

The win leaves Wellington four points clear of Northern Districts at the top of the table.
Canterbury are third, a further five points adrift.

-NZPA