Central win shield after withdrawal

Central Districts have captured the Plunket Shield four-day title for a second successive season in unique circumstances.

Competition leaders Central will be presented with the trophy later this week at Hamilton’s Seddon Park, after the only other contender, Canterbury, withdrew from its final match of the season in response to Friday’s terrorist attacks in Christchurch.

Canterbury’s final four-day match against Wellington had been scheduled to begin today at the Basin Reserve.

Auckland have travelled to Dunedin without Black Caps limited overs duo Martin Guptill and Lockie Ferguson. They elected to step down from the match, a decision fully respected by their team-mates and Auckland Cricket.

Said Auckland Cricket high performance manager Simon Insley: ‘‘Both Martin and Lockie felt personally uncomfortable making the trip to Dunedin given the events in Christchurch, and also, the feelings and concerns of their partners and families.’’

Canterbury trailed Central Districts by 15 competition points entering the final round and faced an uphill battle to overtake the Stags.

Canterbury Cricket chief executive Jez Curwin said they conducted a fully consultative process with its players to allow them to make a decision, either individually or as a group.

‘‘The team showed a united front in terms of the decision.

‘‘It is clear that this tragedy will affect people in different ways, and Canterbury Cricket is here to support our players however we can.

‘‘We fully respect their decision, and I am incredibly proud of how they conducted themselves throughout this process.’’

The remaining two fixtures, between Northern Districts and Central, and Otago and Auckland, will proceed – following consultation with all six major associations.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said his organisation endorsed the process and the wishes of the players at such a traumatic time.

Central said left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, the first Muslim to play for the Black Caps, had confirmed his availability for the Northern Districts match and is in their squad.

Patel, a test specialist, debuted for New Zealand in their successful tour of the United

Arab Emirates against Pakistan.