Central Districts have lived to fight another day in the Super Smash T20 cricket competition after turning the tables on defending champions Wellington at Pukekura Park.
Central Stags celebrate Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Their victory means five of the six teams remain alive heading into the final round tomorrow.
Central avenged their loss in last year's Grand Final to the Firebirds at the same ground with an emphatic, 56-run win to keep their 2018 title hopes alive.
Central made 209 for 6 in their 50 overs with Tom Bruce top scoring with 59, while Wellington were bowled out for 153 in 19 overs.
The two teams now continue their fight for survival in a rematch at the Basin Reserve on Sunday, the last day of the regular season before finals.
Should Central win that match, and the Canterbury lose to Northern in Hamilton, Central will qualify for the 2 v 3 sudden death Elimination Final.
Should Wellington win the match, they will also require Northern to lose in order to progress.
Should Canterbury win their match on Sunday, and Central also win theirs, those two sides will finish on equal points and the third qualifier will be decided on net run rate.
Northern have 26 points, Auckland 24, Canterbury and Central 18 and Wellington 16.
