Good win for CD against Otago

Central Districts top the domestic cricket 50-over table, thanks to an outstanding three-wicket win over Otago in New Plymouth. Meanwhile, Northern Districts are one of three teams just a point adrift of the Stags, following their 43-run win over Canterbury.

Central Districts v Otago at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

A maiden List A hundred from wicket-keeper batsman Dane Cleaver, saw CD get up to beat Otago with just over three overs to spare.

Opening the batting, Cleaver battled for partners early doors as the Stags staggered to 36-4 and then

82-5.

But that fifth-wicket partnership with Doug Bracewell (35) got the innings going and Josh Clarkson (32) and Ben Wheeler (31) and finally Adam Milne, with 34 not out, provided Cleaver with more handy support.

He eventually finished 124 not out, from 124 balls, to get CD to 291 for seven in 46.5 overs. Cleaver’s previous best at this level had been

77, although he’s more regularly sighted down the order. Otago had earlier made 287-7. Michael Rippon, with 61, topscored for them, in an innings in which lost of blokes got starts.

Neil Broom and Derek de Boorder both went past 50 as well, while Anaru Kitchen made 49.

Bracewell finished with the very tidy figures of 3-49 from his 10 overs.

(Michael Rippon 61, Derek de Boorder 56 not out, Neil Broom 55, Anaru Kitchen 49, Shawn Hicks 32; Doug Bracwell 3-49, Ben Wheeler 3-50) lost to

(Dane Cleaver 124 not out, Doug Bracwell 35, Adam Milne 34 not out, Josh Clarkson 32, Ben Wheeler 31) by three wickets

Canterbury v Northern Districts at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

A useful opening burst from Scott Kuggeleijn helped Northern Districts to their 43-run win over Canterbury.

The ND quick bowler nicked Chad Bowes out, with just the second ball of Canterbury’s pursuit of

275, then dismissed Michael Davidson a few overs later.

Soon after, England allrounder Ben Stokes was run out for nought from a direct hit for a one-ball duck, continuing his poor form since returning to cricket for his birth province last Sunday against Otago, and the Wizards never seriously threatened ND’s total from there.

Michael Pollard made 119 and Cameron Fletcher 53, but the Wizards were eventually bowled out for 231 in 46.3 overs and are yet to win a game in three starts in this format.

Matt Henry (3-35) and Todd Astle (3-48) did their bit with the ball, but the Knights were still able to post 274.

Anton Devcich, with 59, topscored for them and they now have two wins from their three games.

Stokes took 1-56 from 10 overs, ending his 24-over wicketless run for the red-and-blacks.

He has totalled just 36 runs from three turns at bat and gone

1-144 from 28 overs.

(Anton Devcich 59, Nick Kelly 44, Daryl Mitchell 44, Brett Hampton

34, BJ Watling 32; Matt Henry 3-35, Todd Astle

3-48) beat (Michael Pollard

119, Cameron Fletcher 53, Michael Davidson 33; Brent Arnel 4-40) by 43 runs