Cricket: Flight scuttled but CD still flying high on playoff hopes

CD Stags skipper Kruger van Wyk. PHOTO/FILE

The Central Districts Stags' flight from Hamilton to Wellington airport was cancelled yesterday because of shocking weather in the capital city.

Consequently the Devon Hotel-sponsored Stags took a road trip to New Plymouth to reload against Sky City Northern Districts Knights tomorrow with the mindset that their flight path to the Georgie Pie Super Smash Twenty20 is still alive, even though they may be checked into the baggage compartment of the aircraft, as it were.

Agreeing the moon will have to align with the sun and myriad stars for that to happen, CD skipper Kruger van Wyk was upbeat despite the Stags finding themselves in a "serendipitous position" after losing to ND by two wickets at Seddon Park on Thursday night.

"It's a position we found ourselves in but ... we're not quite out of it just yet," were veteran wicketkeeper Van Wyk's fighting words as the mini-bus approached the vicinity of the picturesque Pukekura Park, before the non-televised match from 3pm in what is billed as the "Super Smash Sunday".

In other games tomorrow, table-topping SBS Bank Otago Volts host the Canterbury Kings at University Oval, Dunedin, from 1pm while defending champions but current bottom dwellers the Mighty Ape Wellington Firebirds cross bats with the Mondiale Auckland Aces at the Basin Reserve from 1.10pm in a televised affair.

Some of the Stags' optimism stems from the Aces' six-wicket loss to the Kings at Hagley Oval on Thursday.

The Volts and the Knights are handily placed on top of the table after seven games on 20 and 18 points, respectively, but the Aces also have a game in hand despite only a four-point gulf from the Kings and CD on 10 points.

The Firebirds are last on eight points but also have a game in hand, including playing the Stags at McLean Park, on Friday next week from 7.10pm.

Factoring in the permutations, Van Wyk said winning their remaining three matches "still gives us a mathematical chance".

Both a "healthy" CD and ND have named unchanged line ups for tomorrow.

He didn't think the flight cancellation would disrupt their preparation with a training session scheduled today but heavy rain is forecast although tomorrow's outlook is a fine 20C.

Van Wyk welcomed playing quick-turn-around matches win or lose.

He highlighted Sri Lanka import Mahela Jayawardene's batting prowess that provided a platform although leggie Ish Sodhi kept him in check before Scott Kuggeleijn had him playing a top edge for 76.

The CD captain, who was engaged in wicket huddles between overs with Jayawardene, said he had "a very good wealth of experience".

"He's not like some of the overseas professionals who come here on holiday. Mahela wants to win matches," he said, welcoming "a wise head" that has rubbed off on him and the predominantly young Stags.

However, the Stags' bowling department will need to be tight from delivery one.