A bridal party turned up at Pukekura Park today for their
wedding photos and they would have also seen Central
Districts claim their first win of the HRV Cup Twenty20
competition with a 43-run defeat of Northern Districts.
It was not a result many would have predicted beforehand with
Northern Districts sitting on top of the table after four
wins from five games but Central Districts dominated the
match thanks to some quality top-order batting and clinical
bowling.
They posted 186 for four in their 20 overs and then skittled
Northern for 143 in their reply.
Mathew Sinclair (71 off 52) and Will Young (57 off 29) did
the damage at the top of the order as they put on 111 for the
second wicket in just 10.4 overs.
Sinclair smacked three consecutive sixes off English import
Steven Croft but went out soon after looking for lusty blow
and Young fell the following ball to the bowling of Anton
Devcich. The Northern attack did well to restrict the scoring
when a big total looked on the cards but it still proved too
much.
The visitors' reply got off to a bad start, as they slumped
to 11-2 inside two overs, and they never really recovered.
Scott Styris continued his rich vein of form, striking 77 off
47 balls, including six fours and five sixes, but no one
could stick around long enough at the other end and he was
eventually run out trying to get his side home.
The result means Northern and Wellington remain on top with
16 points but opens the door for Otago, who are in third on
12 points but with two games in hand. Otago take on Auckland
in Queenstown on Monday.
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