18 Feb 2013

Central, Northern and Otago post victories in Plunket Shield

11:19 am on 18 February 2013

Kruger Van Wyk has steered Central Districts to a comfortable four-wicket victory over Canterbury in the first session of the final day of their Plunket shield encounter at Rangiora.

Chasing 259 for victory, Central started day four needing only 103 runs with seven wickets in hand.

The former Black Cap Matthew Sinclair hit 53 caught out from the bowling of Todd Astle, before Van Wyk carried Central home, not out for 29.

Earlier, the Central Districts and New Zealand pace bowler, Doug Bracewell, ravaged Canterbury in their first innings, taking seven wickets for 35 runs off 19 overs.

Northern Districts also dispatched Wellington shortly after lunch on day four in Whangarei.

Wellington could only manage 234 runs in their second innings after the Black Cap Tim Southee claimed five for 52 runs off 12 overs, snaring nine wickets in total for the match.

Chasing 148 for victory Northern won by five wickets.

Harry Boam scored his maiden century in Wellington's first innings of 423 before the Black Cap Daniel Flynn (102) and Daryl Mitchell (136) led Northern to a first innings total of 510.

In Dunedin, Otago blitzed Auckland by 10 wickets in the second session of the fourth and final day at University Oval.

Needing 348 runs in their second innings to make Otago bat again, Auckland managed 351 forcing Aaron Redmond back to the batting crease who hit a four off the first ball to win the game.

The Black Cap Neil Wagner took his 12th first class five wicket bag for Otago as Auckland posted 221 in their first innings, before centuries to Neil Broom (103) and the night watchman Nick Beard (188) helped Otago to a massive 569 declared.