Cricket: It was too little, too late for Stags

Central Districts Stags captain William Young says it was too little, too late in Palmerston North on Saturday. PHOTO/Paul Taylor

Okay it's time for some realism in the Central Districts Stags' one-day campaign and the quest for a magical three consecutive crowns this summer.

The Ford Trophy is the farthest it has been from the Stags' reach five rounds into the domestic competition after they plunged to the bottom of the table in 23-run loss to the Otago Volts in Palmerston North on Saturday.

"There's still a chance we can still make it if we win the next three games there's a high chance you'll finish fourth or above to make the playoffs," said CD skipper William Young but the reality is the batsmen again failed to turn up at Fitzherbert Park after the Volts won the toss and elected to bat.

Young felt the 287 all out in 50 overs, on the foundation of Michael Bracewell's 92, was attainable.

"You back yourself chasing 280-odd on a good wicket with the power and experience we have in our batting line up," he said after CD came up short on 264 runs all out with two balls to spare.

Young top scored with 63 runs, reaching a milestone 1000 List A runs on 62, and Mr Reliable Joshua Clarkson added 44.

Rookie Navin Patel (37 runs), Ajaz Patel (31 not out) and Kieran Noema-Barnett (29) contributed but Young said none of the CD offerings added up to match-winning statements.

"It's very disappointing not to get to our target but credit to Otago who used their bowlers very well and never really let us get a substantial partnership together," Young lamented.

"To be honest, the contributions [at the end] were too little too late."
Young said it was imperative someone in the top four had to lay down the platform for any respectable total.

"If you want to win the Ford Trophy you've got to back yourself to chase down 280 on a flat wicket."

In just his second List A game, opening seamer Liam Dudding 3-67 after a wicket-less (0-63) debut in the four-run DL Method loss to the Aces.

Spinner Ajaz Patel was the most frugal (2-38) for his best figures (previous 1-51).

"Ajaz was asked to bowl two of his overs in the top 10 and then I brought him back in the middle and sort of picked up where he left off. Jazz is bowling with a lot of confidence and it's coming out really well."

Navin Patel also posted a highest score, eclipsing his unbeaten 19.

CD play Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve on Wednesday but can ill afford inclement weather abandoning play.