Report

How double-century sets up Central Disctricts win

A round-up of the Plunket Shield games that ended on February 10, 2014

File photo: Jamie How blasted 25 fours and three sixes during his 207 not out  •  Getty Images

File photo: Jamie How blasted 25 fours and three sixes during his 207 not out  •  Getty Images

A double-century from Jamie How in the second innings paved the way for Central Districts' 134-run win against Otago in a rain-interrupted match at the Saxton Oval.
How struck 25 fours and three sixes during his unbeaten 207, and put up big stands with Greg Hay and Kieran Noema-Barnett before Central Districts declared at 375 for 4 to set Otago a target of 412.
James Neesham propelled Otago's chase with a quick 147, but received little by way of help from remaining batsmen who all together scored just 105. Seth Rance picked up four wickets while Noema-Barnett chipped in with three scalps to dismiss Otago for 277 in 89.1 overs.
Central Districts, put in to bat, had made 307 in their first innings. Most of their top order made starts, but only captain Noema-Barnett could convert it into a fifty, making a handy 74. Neesham was the pick of Otago's bowlers, finishing with 4 for 79.
Otago, in reply, were buoyed by centuries from Aaron Redmond and Jesse Ryder, but the team declared at 271 for 3 to hand Central Districts a first-innings lead of 36.
An all-round effort from Canterbury helped them defeat Auckland by 64 runs in Christchurch. Canterbury, batting first, were guided by handy contributions from all their top-order batsmen, but only Rob Nicol could convert his start into a fifty, making a patient 66. Colin de Grandhomme and Colin Munro snared three wickets apiece for Auckland, but a 44 from Todd Astle, batting at No.9, pushed Canterbury to 328.
Auckland lost opener Jeet Raval early in the reply, but fifties from Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen and Munro helped the team recover to 300 for 7, before they decided to declare after 104.3 overs.
Canterbury made full use of their slender advantage, as Nicol once again came through with an unbeaten 81. He also forged big associations for the fourth and fifth wicket with Dean Brownlie and Shanan Stewart. Brownlie fell two runs short of what would have been his ninth first-class ton, while Stewart remained at 96 not out.
Set 361 to win, Auckland lost three quick wickets but recovered with a 100-run stand for the fourth wicket between Craig Cachopa and Munro. Cachopa eventually hit 118, but once he was dismissed by Astle in the 72nd over, Auckland eventually folded for 296. Astle and Ryan McCone shared eight wickets between them for Canterbury.
The clash between Wellington and Northern Districts in Karori Park ended in a draw, due to rain. Only 50.4 overs of play, all in the first day, were possible in the match, with Northern Districts on 169 for 2.