Cricket: Oram takes CD into final with personal-best haul

New Zealand cricketer Jacob Oram will head to South Africa next week with an extra spring in his step.

Recalled to the national side for the three-test tour after a summer blighted by injury, Oram piloted Central Districts into the State Championship final with a devastating spell in the eighth round match against Northern Districts in Hamilton yesterday.

They will meet Wellington in the five-day final starting at the Basin Reserve in the capital on Monday.

Tall medium-fast bowler Oram collected career-best figures of six for 45 by taking four for 39 after the home team resumed on 66 for four in their first innings.

Northern Districts eventually perished for just 173 in a match seriously affected by weather - as were the other two fixtures.

Central Districts overcame a nervy start, when they slumped to 49 for four, to run down their target and secure first innings points, enough to deny Otago a place in the final.

They did so thanks to opener Jarrod Englefield, who made 80 not out after a fifth-wicket stand of 105 with rookie Tim Weston, who scored 55.

Central Districts and Otago began the last round sharing second place but Otago's inferior nett runs per wicket left them needing an outright result against Auckland as Oram inspired his side yesterday.

Auckland captain Richard Jones generously aided their cause by declaring well behind on the first innings.

Otago endeavoured to return the favour at Eden Park's Outer Oval as they batted recklessly to scramble to 70 for nine declared in their second innings.

Former international seamer Kerry Walmsley was the main beneficiary of Otago's approach, capturing the fine figures of six for 24 in his last first-class match and a career haul of 251.

Requiring 240 for their first outright win of the season, Auckland were cruising at 118 for one before a top and middle order collapse threatened to waste the 63 contributed by opener Martin Guptill.

Rob Nicol and Reece Young, who were unbeaten on 55 and 28, respectively, put on 66 for the seventh wicket.

Wellington's delight at advancing to the final was balanced by injuries to wicketkeeper Chris Nevin and fast bowler Mark Gillespie as they earned first innings points over Canterbury at the Basin Reserve.

An unbeaten century by Neal Parlane carried Wellington past Canterbury's 332 for the loss of six wickets.

Nevin complained of back spasms which saw him carried from the field after a brief stay, and Gillespie was felled by a ball from Hamish Bennett. Gillespie, easily the leading wicket-taker in this season's competition with 43 wickets, struck 33 off 39 balls.

This game marked the farewell of former New Zealand batsman Gary Stead, who announced his retirement after 88 first-class appearances for Canterbury.

- NZPA