Central Districts crush Canterbury to defend title

Central Districts comfortably defended the Ford Trophy after crushing Canterbury by 156 runs in the final in New Plymouth. Central Districts piled on 405 for 6, equalling the highest List A score at Pukekura Park, on the back of a 159 from George Worker and Tom Bruce's 23-ball 71 - the fastest fifty in New Zealand List A history - which included six fours and seven sixes. Jesse Ryder (62 off 50) and Will Young (51 off 32) also contributed with brisk fifties.

Worker, who surpassed 3000 List A runs during the innings, forged stand of 80, 109, 92 and 63 for the first four wickets to decisively turn the match in Central Districts' favour. However, Bruce helped put it beyond Canterbury by helping put on 61 off the last 20 balls.

Captain Andrew Ellis picked up two wickets but went for 97 in his 10 overs. Ed Nuttall was the most economical of the bowlers with figures of 0 for 44 off his eight overs.

Canterbury were never in the chase from the start after losing their openers within the first eight balls. Todd Astle (65) and Ellis combined to put on 121, but it was a task too far. Ellis went on to make his maiden List A century (101 off 76 balls), but Canterbury were bowled out for 249 in the 38th over. Bevan Small claimed three victims whereas Seth Rance, who finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 19 wickets, returned 2 for 17.