Inexplicable collapse sees CD grasp defeat from certain victory

Cricket remains a remarkable game. At 5.24pm this afternoon Central Districts were sitting on 154/0, needing just 89 runs to beat Otago in 33 overs in the State Shield one-dayer in New Plymouth.

CD openers Craig Spearman and Jesse Ryder had scored at over nine runs an over, the wicket was apparently perfect, and no-one even considered the possibility of an Otago comeback.

In fact, just when the bonus point (win in 40 overs) would be achieved was just about the only topic of discussion.

Some 100 minutes later, the red faces around the Central Districts team were not caused by the blazing sun. The side had gifted Otago the victory with a desperately bad batting performance which deserved all of them, Spearman and Ryder aside, being made to walk back to the hotel - and quite possibly to the team's next venue.

CD were dismissed for 234, losing the match by nine runs. The last eight wickets went for 39 runs, on a perfect batting wicket and with plenty of time left to win the game.

The reasons for the collapse were inexplicable. Batting had appeared so easy, and the Pukekura Park wicket has not had the reputation for breaking up and turning into a beast.

Neither did it, but by a series of ill-advised messings around by batsmen who should have done better, and with the help of a couple of big front-foot lbws given by Auckland umpire Barry Frost, CD managed to manufacture a disastrous collapse out of certain bonus point victory.

Former international Shayne O'Connor, who went for 28 in his first five overs, took four for 13 in his last five. Kerry Walmsley, who went for 47 in his first four, came back with three wickets for 65 - including breaking the leg stump of Michael Mason.

The problems started after Ryder was dismissed. CD No 3 Peter Ingram, totally out for form, scratched around for 27 balls before getting off the mark and altogether batted 39 balls for his five. With Glen Sulzberger, replacing Spearman at the other end also hitting the stopbank, CD's headlong plunge towards victory became more akin to lemmings jumping off a cliff.

Before the last pair of Andrew Schwass and Lance Hamilton came together at 221, with 23 runs wanted, seven wickets had fallen for only 31 runs.

They carefully grafted their way towards victory, helped along the way by the odd wide from Otago's bowlers. The crowd, which had been cruising towards victory with its team, loudly cheered every run.

But then Hamilton ended the match the way CD had batted. Why a No 11 should suddenly charge Walmsley is anyone's guess. But Hamilton did it, had his stumps smashed, and CD could take their red faces away to sulk in silence.

Otago's bowling heroes were hard to find. All had been mangled by Spearman and Ryder, but they did keep fighting. And with CD self-destructing, along came a most unexpected victory.

Earlier in the day Mohammad Wasim (46), dominated Otago's early batting before the side collapsed to 149/7. Then Nathan Morland (54) and Warren McSkimming (34) saved Otago's face in getting through to 242.

CD's innings was a direct contrast. Otago was made to look second-rate for the first half, CD got cocky and blew it.

Quite terribly in fact.

To make matters worse, joint leader Northern Districts also lost. CD could live to rue this day before the competition ends.