Auckland and Central Districts gained the maximum five points after big wins in the first round of 50-over cricket today while Canterbury’s narrow victory saw them pick up four.
After two rounds of three-day matches and one of 50-over cricket Auckland top the table with 11 points while Canterbury are on second with 8. Central Districts (5) and Northern Districts (4) round out the top four.
Central Districts v Otago
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1007/scorecard.aspx
Central Districts easily beat Otago by seven wickets with in their 50-over match at Lincoln Green. Otago could only muster 144 after being put into bat with Central reaching 146 for three in 37.4 overs.
Central Districts bowler Connor Neynens ripped through the Otago line up taking five for 29 with all victims batting in the top seven. Opener Gregor Croudis was the only Otago batsman to provide any resistance with 30.
The Central run chase was lead by William Young who struck a fine 77 not out to seal the comfortable win.
Auckland v Wellington
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1009/scorecard.aspx
Auckland comfortably beat Wellington by six wickets in the 50-over match at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln. After winning the toss and batting first Wellington struggled through to 173 in 49.1 overs with Auckland reaching the target over 12 overs to spare.
Opener Sam Dean top scored for Wellington with 38 and captain Corey Larsen hit a useful 31 down the order. Wesley Jarman was the standout Auckland bowler taking three for 27 while new ball bowler Matt Quinn took three for 31.
The run chase got off to an excellent start with Auckland putting on 60 for the first wicket. Robert O’Donnell finished things off with a superb run-a-ball 55 not out.
Northern Districts v Canterbury
Full scorecard - http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1008/scorecard.aspx
Canterbury edged past Northern Districts by two wickets in low scoring contest on Lincoln No3. Batting first, Northern were bundled out for 149 with Canterbury scratching their way to 150 for eight with just three balls to spare.
Northern were looking good at 60 for one but when Canterbury bowler Theo van Weorkom removed Henry Hooper for 18, then Joe Carter for 37 followed by Ben Hyde for a duck they crumbled to 61 for four . Van Weorkom finished with superb figures of four for 28 while William Williams picked up three scalps.
Canterbury also made a steady start when they batted but a string of wickets in the middle overs had them teetering at 118 for five. However, the tail managed to scratch together the runs and surpass the low total. First drop Jack Harper was Canterbury’s best with 41.
Points table:
Auckland – 11
Canterbury – 8
Central Districts – 5
Northern Districts – 4
Wellington – 2
Otago - 0
