Wellington has successfully chased down Central Districts’ total of 220 in a shortened match to record a first round victory in the Provincial A Competition.
The 220 Central posted never looked like it was going to be a problem for the boys from the capital as they completed a relatively easy victory with six wickets and 6.1 overs to spare.
Bad weather had meant play was delayed and the match was therefore shortened to 38 overs a side.
Having won the toss and opting to bat first Central got off to a solid start reaching 50 without loss.
Ben Smith was the first to go for 28, but was aptly replaced by Greg Haye. Dean Robinson remained with Haye until the 22nd over until he was out on 42.
Central needed someone to push on from one of their starts, but Haye fell in similar fashion for 47. The trend continued when Gregg Todd (34) and Carl Cachopa (25) also failed to build on solid foundations.
A handy 15 from Bevan Small allowed CD to set Wellington 221 for victory as Central finished 220 for eight.
Scott Kuggleijn was the best of the bowlers, although slightly expensive, and finished with figures of three for 56 from eight.
In reply it is hard to describe the Wellington innings as anything but a one man effort. Niranjan Naguleswaran (31) and Ronald Karaitiana (32*) deserve mentions, but the real hero of the day was centurion Stephen Murdoch.
Murdoch was scintillating in his 119 not out, his total coming off just 84 deliveries. The quality performance included 13 fours and four sixes and saw his Wellington team all the way to victory.
Even in a shortened match Wellington still managed to chase down 220 in just the 32nd over with the loss of four wickets. Not surprisingly none of the Central bowlers had much to brag about.
