Canterbury thrash Auckland in Plunket Shield

CHRIS HILLOCK/Fairfax NZ

TOP EFFORT: Ryan McCone led the Canterbury bowlers with 3-33.

Relevant offers

Cricket

Stern words inspire Black Caps fightback Bionic Graeme Swann danger for New Zealand Taylor, Williamson help steady New Zealand Ross Taylor takes toll as England drop short James Anderson relieved to reach milestone Trent Boult's collection of scalps ever-growing Trent Boult satisfied with day one performance Shane Warne: Spot-fixing a kick in the teeth Runs a battle for England as rain halts play Andrew Ellis disappointed to miss England tour

Canterbury have wrapped up their final Plunket Shield cricket match of the season with a nine wicket thrashing of Auckland today.

The four day match barely went into day three at Christchurch's Hagley Oval as both Auckland's innings were poor.

Rolled for 173 on day one, Auckland were dismissed this morning for just 170, leaving Canterbury only 42 to pick up their third outright win of the season.

Gareth Hopkins was Auckland's best scoring an unbeaten 66 batting at No 5 before he ran out of partners.

Ryan McCone (3-33) and Matt McEwan (3-63) were Canterbury's best with the ball while Ben McCord grabbed two wickets and Shanan Stewart and Todd Astle had one apiece.

Canterbury skipper Peter Fulton (19no) and Henry Nicholls (7no) knocked off the winning runs well before lunch.

Canterbury's chase lasted just seven overs.

The loss secured Auckland the competition's wooden spoon while Canterbury's outright win, just their third of the season, is likely to move them up to fourth on the six-team ladder.

- © Fairfax NZ News