Williamson stars in Northern Districts' win

A terrific all-round performance from Kane Williamson helped Northern Districts complete a ten-wicket thrashing of Auckland inside three days at Whangarei.

Northern Districts took the upper hand on day one, dismissing Auckland for 227 after they chose to bat, with Brent Arnel, Joseph Yovich, Bruce Martin and Williamson taking two wickets apiece. Reece Young, who made 50, was Auckland's only half-centurion and the innings suffered from a lack of partnerships. Northen Districts, however, started their reply poorly and were 36 for 2 at stumps on the first day.

Williamson began the second morning on zero and went on to forge century partnerships with the Marshall brothers, Hamish and James, and Peter McGlashan. Williamson batted the entire day, scoring 163, and ensured Northern Districts had a lead of 121 at stumps with three wickets intact. He and McGlashan continued to build Northern's advantage on the third day before getting bowled by Colin de Grandhomme for 192, his highest first-class score. Williamson had batted nearly eight hours, faced 352 deliveries and hit 22 fours and two sixes. Northern Districts were eventually dismissed for 410, with a first-innings lead of 183.

It was fast bowler Graeme Aldridge, though, who made the victory possible inside three days. He ripped out Auckland's top order, reducing them to 52 for 4 in the second innings, and finished with figures of 4 for 19 in 13 overs. Arnel and Martin continued Aldridge's work and Williamson contributed 3 for 48 as Auckland were dismissed for 188. Auckland, who lost their ninth wicket with the score on 131, were saved from innings defeat by No. 10 Michael Bates, who slammed 57 off 25 balls with four sixes and six fours.

His eventual dismissal, however, left Northern Districts with only 6 to get and the openers, BJ Watling and Brad Wilson, did it in an over.