Otago plummet to near record 425-run loss

Pathetic Otago batting resulted in Central Districts achieving a win by 425 runs - the fourth highest victory by a runs margin in New Zealand cricket history at Alexandra's Molyneux Park today.

Not since Otago were beaten by Wellington by 446 runs in 1926/27 have the southerners been hammered in such a way.

Otago were set an unlikely, and improbable, target of 507 to win by Central Districts, but distinguished themselves by being dismissed for an equally unlikely, and improbable, 81. However, they will have to live with the stigma associated with such a thrashing.

This on a pitch which had seen CD score 444/8 in their second innings.

CD resumed their innings today 296 runs ahead of Otago and it was always most likely that the only winner of the game was going to be CD, but that did not excuse the Otago response to the target set.

Mathew Sinclair continued his good form in the game by producing the match-winning batting difference with yet another of his centuries that has gone beyond the 150 mark. He scored 161 in 330 minutes while facing 267 balls. He hit 17 fours and a six. After coming to the wicket when the score was nine, he departed 299 runs later having done a superb job.

He featured in partnerships of 129 with Ben Smith (57) for the third wicket and 101 with Glen Sulzberger (40) for the fourth wicket.

Peter McGlashan (65) and Bevan Griggs (35) added 88 for the sixth wicket while bowlers Michael Mason and Brent Hefford took advantage of the chance to boost their batting averages by being unbeaten on 23 and 18 respectively when the declaration was made.

Kerry Walmsley was unable to complete nine overs in the innings and the pressure shifted to other members of the side. He suffered a side and back injury and is likely to be out of the next two games. The other key front-line bowlers James McMillan and David Sewell went wicketless. Nathan Morland sent down 36 overs to take three for 124.

CD would never have believed that the game would be over in less than 30 overs after Otago started their chase. But from the loss of Robbie Lawson's wicket for four, the procession began.

It was lolly scramble time for the CD attack. Hefford picked up four for 17 from seven overs, Andrew Schwass two for 18 from 9.1, Mason one for eight from five, and Lance Hamilton one for 31 from eight. They may play for another decade but they may never find wickets as easy to get as they were today.

Chris Gaffaney was the only player to stand defiant. He scored 37 in 75 minutes of batting, the next highest score was nine to Simon Beare.