Otago closes gap on Auckland in Provincial A

With a second consecutive bonus point win, Otago are closing on competition leaders Auckland after today’s third round of the Provincial A tournament at Lincoln.

While Auckland and Northern Districts also recorded wins in today’s round, Otago are now just two points behind Auckland. Their win against Central Districts today included an impressive all-round performance by Mark Craig, who scored 70 runs and took three wickets for 48 for the southerners.

Other highlights of the round were a quick-fire 150 off 145 balls from Northern’s Brad Wilson against Wellington – which included 17 fours and three sixes. Auckland’s Dusan Hakaraia was unbeaten on 112 off 116 balls to lead Auckland to beat Canterbury

Northern Districts A v Wellington A

After winning the toss and batting, Northern Districts scored 302/6 in their 50 overs with the highlight being Brad Wilson’s 150. He put on 171 for the fourth wicket with Sam McLeod who made 67 off 70 balls. For Wellington Illi Tugaga took 2/69 off his 10 overs.

In reply Wellington were all out for 270 in 45 overs. Dewayne Bowden top scored with 80 in 68 balls batting at number six. A number of batsmen got starts but Wellington kept losing wickets. Graeme Aldridge was the most successful of the ND bowlers with 3/54 off eight overs while Simon Andrews and Te Ahu Davis both took two wickets each.

• Northern Districts 302/6 (Brad Wilson 150, Sam McLeod 67) beat Wellington 270 (Dewayne Bowden 80, Graeme Aldridge 3/54) by 32 runs

Canterbury A v Auckland A

Canterbury also elected to bat after winning the toss. They lost wickets regularly until Tim Muir and Logan Van Beek grafted a seventh wicket partnership of 77, and Michael Davidson and Van Beek added 65 for the eighth, taking Canterbury through to 256/8 off 50 overs. Van Beek top scored with an unbeaten 75 off 73 balls. Lance Shaw, Michael Bates and spinner Bhupinder Singh took two wickets each with Singh bowling well taking 2/18 off 10 overs.

Auckland judged their run chase well with number three Dusan Hakaraia setting the pace, scoring 112 not out off 116 balls. After a series of useful partnerships Auckland reached the target with one over to spare. For Canterbury Michael Davidson took 2/39 off eight overs.

• Canterbury 256/8 (Logan Van Beek 75*, Tim Muir 40) lost to Auckland 257/6 (Dusan Hakaraia 112*, Mark Turner 45) by 4 wickets

Otago A v Central Districts A

Otago won the toss in their match against CD and batted first. CD’s opening bowler Dominic Rayner bowled impressively taking 6/46 from nine overs. A fifth wicket partnership of 151 between Mark Craig and Sam Wells boosted Otago from 83/4 to 234/5 but the tail folded quickly and they were all out for 260 on the last ball of the innings.

In reply CD was in trouble at 21/3 and never recovered. Opening bowler Mat Harvie took 3/18 off seven overs and CD’s best partnership was 76 for the fifth wicket between James De Terte and David Meiring. After this pair were dismissed only James Kuru, with 18 not out, offered any resistance and CD was all out for 164 in 41.5 overs.

• Otago 260 (Sam Wells 87, Mark Craig 70, Dominic Rayner 6/46) beat Central Districts 164 (James de Terte 51, Mat Harvie 3/18, Mark Craig 3/48) by 96 runs

Tomorrow [Saturday] is a rest day. The competition resumes on Sunday with Canterbury playing Otago, Auckland against Wellington, and Northern Districts playing Central Districts.

Points at the end of Round 3

Auckland 12
Otago 10
Northern Districts 8
Canterbury 4
Wellington 4

Central Districts 0