Avoiding wooden spoon now the target

BY SAM WORTHINGTON

Winning remains a distant memory for Wellington's cricket team as the hapless Firebirds crashed to their fifth straight Plunket Shield defeat in Napier.

Resuming at 177-2 yesterday, in pursuit of 226, Central Districts cruised home by seven wickets at McLean Park, with Brad Patton (52) the only wicket to fall.

Wellington's Mark Gillespie, who was called in as a day-four replacement for test spinner Jeetan Patel, took Patton's scalp but the Firebirds had to settle for two first innings points.

The win lifts Central clearly into second place on 32 points, 12 behind runaway leaders Northern Districts, with two rounds remaining.

Wellington are fifth and out of title contention, with their main goal now hoping to stay ahead of last-placed Auckland and avoid the wooden spoon.

Despite their injury woes, the Firebirds competed for two days against Central Districts before fading badly.

Neal Parlane (90), Luke Woodcock (73) and Cameron Merchant (63) all contributed with the bat but scores of 250 and 207 don't win cricket games.

Another bright spot was 20-year-old quick Malaesaili Tugaga returning career-best figures of 5-77 in Central's first innings in bowler-friendly conditions.

But the second innings was a different story as Peter Ingram (59), Jamie How (58) and Patton all scored freely to extinguish Wellington's hopes.

In Queenstown, third-placed Canterbury completed a 158-run victory over Otago to keep their faint title hopes afloat.

Canterbury leg-spinner Todd Astle, whose career has stalled recently, was called in as a day-four replacement for test quick Chris Martin, and it proved a masterstroke.

Astle claimed a career-best 5-55 in 22 overs as Otago were dismissed for 276 in pursuit of 435.

Otago skipper Craig Cumming (82) and Sam Wells (56) continued their fine form but received little support as Astle spun a web.

Canterbury opener Michael Papps, a forgotten man of New Zealand cricket, put his name back on the radar with a match double of 83 and 122.

The next round starts on Saturday, with Wellington away to Canterbury in Rangiora, Central are on the road against Auckland and Northern host Otago in Whangarei.

Wellington will be hoping Black Cap Jesse Ryder can prove himself fit and available for selection.

He has completed two days of club cricket for Naenae Old Boys following surgery to his abdominal wall.

Standings with two rounds remaining: Northern 44 points, Central 32, Canterbury 28, Otago 26, Wellington 18, Auckland 8.

- © Fairfax NZ News