Cricket: Cumming and Otago fall short

Otago captain Craig Cumming fell 18 runs short of what would have been a third first-class century this summer.

The 34-year-old has been closing in on Bert Sutcliffe's haul of 17 first-class centuries for Otago for the past few seasons and needs another two to equal the great left-hander.

But he came unstuck on 82 while trying to guide Otago to an unlikely win against Canterbury at the Queenstown Events Centre yesterday.

Set 435 for victory, Otago resumed the final day on 19 without loss and Cumming on 13.

The right-hander has been at the top of his game for the past two or three seasons and looked on track to raise a century but was bowled by Hamish Bennett.

With Cumming's demise Otago's slim chances evaporated.

Sam Wells made a defiant 56 - his third half century this summer - and Anthony Bullick dug in and scored 29 to help Otago reach 276.

Todd Astle was the unlikely destroyer with five for 55 - his maiden first-class five-wicket bag.

The legspinner was a late inclusion, replacing Black Caps strike bowler Chris Martin, when he was called into the test team.

He ripped through Otago's middle order, dismissing Greg Todd for 13, trapping Derek de Boorder in front for six and getting rid of the dangerous Wells when he offered Michael Papps a catch.

He then helped mop up the tail to help Canterbury claim a healthy 158-run victory.

Wellington slumped to its fifth successive Plunket Shield loss against Central Districts in Napier yesterday.

Central Districts won the match by seven wickets on the fourth and final morning at McLean Park.

The result lifted Central Districts to 32 points, 12 behind leader Northern Districts with two rounds remaining.

Canterbury is third with 28 points, two ahead of Otago.