Declarations set up exciting final day

The Stags and the Knights are intent on claiming the points for an outright win, Aaron Goile writes.

An exciting finish is in store for the Plunket Shield match between Northern Districts and Central Districts in Whangarei today.

CD will resume on 23-1 at Cobham Oval in pursuit of 348 for victory after both they and the SkyCity Knights pushed the game forward through declarations yesterday.

Starting day three on 261-5 in reply to the hosts’ first-innings total of 374, Stags centurion Will Young added 19 to his overnight score before falling to Scott Kuggeleijn for 132 – his second first-class century. Doug Bracewell (38no) and Bevan Small (8no) carried on briefly, before CD pulled the pin at 300-6, with both teams taking two of a possible four bonus points in the innings.

With no points on offer for a draw and 12 to take for an outright win, CD looked to give themselves a shot and for the Knights to play ball.

The home side obliged, declaring at 273-8 to set the Stags a chase.

Again the Knights got off to a fine start with the willow, with Dean Brownlie (52) continuing his super form, while the returning Brad Wilson top-scored with 77.

Daryl Mitchell (71) began patiently, then kicked on as his team-mates hit out around him, with ND leaving the visitors 13 overs to bat before stumps, with a minimum of 97 on offer today making it an asking rate of a bit over three runs per over.

The Stags were set back early in their quest, with George Worker trapped in front Top score: Brad Wilson, pictured last season, scored 77 in Northern Districts’ second innings against Central Districts. Photo: Fairfax NZ in Graeme Aldridge’s third over, before David Meiring (12no) and Greg Hay (10no) negotiated the end of the day.

The teams played in the previous round in New Plymouth, with CD batting out the final day for a draw on a flat Pukekura Park wicket. This time, ND will be hungry to finish off the job.