ND climb to top of the table

Convincing wins by Northern Districts, Canterbury and Otago have seen the Ford Trophy table tighten up.

Northern grabbed the lead after five matches on virtue of net run rate over previous leaders Auckland after thumping the Wellington Firebirds by 135 runs in Whangarei yesterday. That took the hosts to 15 points, with Auckland also on 15 after going down to Canterbury in Rangiora by five wickets.

Nick Kelly was the star for ND at Cobham Oval, making his maiden domestic one-day century as the hosts made 285-6 batting first. Kelly struck five sixes and seven fours in an unbeaten 118 off only 103 balls.

The Firebirds were never in the hunt as Scott Kuggeleijn ripped through their top order to finish with 3-34 off eight overs while offspinner Jono Boult took 3-29.

Auckland managed only 209-8 after winning the toss at Mainpower Oval with off-spinner Tim Johnston (3-30 off 10 overs) Canterbury’s key performer. Captain Rob Nicol top-scored for the visitors with 67 off 90 balls at No 6.

Black Caps opener Tom Latham had the wicketkeeping duties ahead of the one-day series against Australia starting tomorrow which could see him fill a similar role for New Zealand and combined with Johnston for two stumpings. He then made 59 off 66 balls at the top of the order and fellow test player Henry Nicholls’ 76 off 92 balls helped the hosts reach their target with 11.4 overs to spare.

In Palmerston North, Otago amassed 287, with Michael Bracewell’s 92 from 98 balls the mainstay of their innings.

Despite 63 from Will Young, the hosts were dismissed for 264.