Bowlers star in Northern Districts' easy win

Daniel Vettori's counterattacking half-century on the first day followed by rich hauls for Trent Boult and Tim Southee helped Northern Districts comfortably beat Central Districts by seven wickets within three days in Hamilton. It was Northern Districts' first win this year, whereas Central Districts, with two losses in two games, remain at the bottom of the table.

Northern Districts were under immediate pressure on the first day after they were asked to bat as they lost two wickets in two balls in the second over, bowled by Ben Wheeler. Their situation worsened as two more batsmen were dismissed with the score on 55, but opener Brad Wilson scored a dour 71 and added 82 for the fifth wicket with Corey Anderson to revive the innings. Central Districts fought back to pick up four more wickets in quick time to reduce Northern Districts to 183 for 8, but Vettori responded with 78 off 100 balls that included 12 fours. He added 104 runs in the company of Nos 10 and 11, turning the momentum in Northern Districts' favour, and was the last batsman to be dismissed.

Then Southee struck with the first two deliveries and Central Districts were never allowed to recover from that. Southee added two more top-order wickets, including that of Ross Taylor, before Boult ran through the bottom half, picking up a five-wicket haul, to dismiss Central Districts for 89 in 46.3 overs.

Asked to follow on, Central Districts' response was only a little better compared to their first innings, but they were still in danger of losing by an innings as they were reduced to 164 for 8. Fighting half-centuries from Kruger van Wyk (95) and Wheeler (81*) helped Central Districts avoid an innings defeat, but the target of 99 they set for Northern Districts was overhauled in 25.4 overs comfortably despite the loss of three wickets.