Jesse Ryder ton stalls Canty’s Plunket Shield charge

A superb Jesse Ryder century and some resilient Central Stags batsmen have opened the door for Auckland to chase Plunket Shield glory.

Competition leaders Canterbury had been chasing an outright result against Central at Nelson’s Saxton Oval on Friday in an attempt to secure this season’s title with a round remaining.

Central eventually reached their target at 349-6 late in the day’s final session to beat Canterbury by four wickets and claim their first win of the fourday series.

Ryder finished the match unbeaten on 109, having faced 187 balls and hit 14 fours and a six.

Instead, Canterbury now head into the final round against Wellington in Christchurch with their 19-point lead reduced to just eight following second-placed Auckland’s eight-wicket win over Otago on Thursday. Canterbury had predictably declared at their overnight score of 273-8, leaving Central requiring 347 runs off a minimum 96 overs for victory.

With Central in early trouble at 1-1 in just the second over, Mitch Renwick and George Worker effectively maintained a manageable asking rate of around 3.5 runs per over, with a coverdriven boundary off offspinner Tim Johnston taking Worker to his half century off 79 balls.

But leg-spinner Todd Astle broke their 93-run stand when he trapped Renwick lbw for 37 at 94-2, leaving Worker and Will Young to carry the score through to 102-2 at lunch with Central still needing a further 245 runs for victory.

Canterbury’s hopes soared when Astle removed Worker with the first delivery after lunch for 53, Young eventually falling just three runs short of a half century to end a profitable 82-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ryder.

Dane Cleaver’s departure for a well-compiled 48, bowled by Astle at 296-6, brought Canterbury right back into the mix with Central still requiring 51 runs.

It ended another critical 91-run stand although with Ryder still batting confidently, Central retained the controlling hand.

Ryder reached his 23rd first class century with 19 runs still needed for the win but Adam Milne helped see the victory through.