The Canterbury Wizards formally reclaimed their status as the best first-class cricket side when they completed an eight-wicket victory over Plunket Shield defending champions the Northern Knights on the final day of play at Rangiora today.
Resuming their second innings on an overnight score of 223 for five, Northern Districts were all out for the addition of 95 runs leaving Canterbury a target of 190 for the outright win and their first championship crown since 2007/2008.
Andy Ellis, four for 63, Matt Henry, two for 56 and Todd Astle, who took one for 87, did the damage this morning as they up the tail.
Henry, 20, who set up the win with five wickets for 54 runs in Northern's first innings, completed the match with outstanding figures of seven for 110 while Ellis had seven for 67.
Coming into the final round, Northern Knights, Central Stags and Wellington Firebirds all had a mathematical shot at dislodging Canterbury from the top of the standings providing other results went their ways.
But Wellington lost inside three days by an innings and 138 runs to Otago in Queenstown, their hopes destroyed in a lethal burst by bowler Neil Wagner who took five wickets in six balls.
In a rain-affected match in Napier, the Central Stags ambitions were washed out against Auckland after today's play was abandoned, despite efforts by both sides to contrive a result.
After Auckland declared their first innings at 471 for four, Central declared at five for one before Auckland forfeited their second innings to leave Central a target of 467 for the win.
They were looking to resume today on an overnight score of 159 for two but no play was possible on a rain-soaked Nelson Park.
