Worker's all-round performance flattens Otago

George Worker's all-round performance powered Central Districts to a four-wicket victory in a low-scoring game against Otago in New Plymouth. Worker's 5 for 10 in four overs triggered Otago's middle-order collapse, and his 26-ball 42 in the chase helped Central Districts achieve a target of 142 with nine balls to spare.

Put in to bat first, Otago got off to a strong start with a 58-run partnership between openers Anaru Kitchen and Neil Broom. However, Worker's left-arm spin cut through Otago's top and middle-order, reducing them from 58 for 0 in the ninth over to 90 for 5 by the 15th over. Worker struck in each of his four overs and took two wickets in the space of four balls in the 13th over. Broom, however, held steady and it was his unbeaten knock of 70 off 49 deliveries that eventually lifted Otago to a score of 141 for 8.

Worker shared a vital 47-run partnership with Will Young for the second wicket. By the time Worker was dismissed by Nathan McCullum in the seventh over, he had scored 42 of the side's total of 50 runs and Central Districts stuttered again when McCullum dismissed Young in the same over. A 50-run partnership between captain Kruger Van Wyk and Dane Cleaver then revived the chase. Otago struck once again with quick wickets but an unbeaten 32-run partnership between Josh Clarkson and Marty Kain for the seventh wicket eased Central Districts to their first win in the tournament.