CD pull off great escape

Central Districts have prevented Wellington extending their lead at the top of the Plunket Shield standings after holding on for an unlikely draw.

With the weather ending any chance of a result between Otago and Northern Districts and Canterbury’s match against Auckland having already been abandoned on Monday, all eyes were on the Basin Reserve for the final day’s play.

Set a daunting target of 372 after Wellington’s Devon Conway (103 not out) posted his 14th firstclass century, the result appeared to be heading only one way following a top-order capitulation by CD.

Hamish Bennett and Ollie Newton each removed an opening batsman in their first over to have the Stags reeling on 2-2, which quickly became 20-5.

Jesse Ryder finally offered some resistance as he made a battling 39 before losing his wicket to Ian McPeake.

That left the visitors on 76-7 and all hope seemed lost. However, a dogged ninth-wicket partnership between Bevan Small and debutant Felix Murray denied the Firebirds the final two wickets they needed for victory.

Small finished unbeaten on 20 and Murray made 12 not out as CD finished on 108-8.

But it was the time they chewed up which mattered most; Small facing 80 deliveries in a 93-minute stay at the crease, while his batting partner saw off 50 balls in just over an hour.

After eight games, Wellington remain at the top of the table on 119 points, 12 clear of CD. Auckland are third on 82 points with Northern Districts rounding out the top four on 57.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF Devon Conway scored an unbeaten century but Wellington’s bowlers could not get the team across the line.