Cricket: Auckland show resolve but still suffer defeat

CD v AUCKLAND

British import Min Patel hauled in another five-wicket bag for Central Districts yesterday to extract maximum points from their match at Palmerston North.

As expected, Central rolled Auckland in the second innings but unlike the first innings when they scored only 180, the Aucklanders put up more resistance with the bat.

A strong middle order and tail-end batting saw Auckland reach 315 but Central won by 140 runs after scoring 245 and 390.

Patel, 35, who played for England in two tests in 1996, took six wickets for 121 in 47.4 overs.

The orthodox left-arm spinner took five for 51 in the second innings in Central's outright win over Otago in New Plymouth two weeks ago.

Auckland resumed at 85 for two on the final day of the four-day match and overnight batsmen Tim Lythe (54) and Matt Horne (51) reached half-centuries before becoming the first two of Patel's five consecutive victims.

Rob Nicol added 43 and Lou Vincent 13 before Tama Canning (43) Kylie Mills (16) and Andre Adams (24) provided significantly to Auckland's more determined effort.

Adams scored 24 off just 16 balls.

Central's solid totals were based on strong middle-order batting - Mathew Sinclair's 101, Jacob Oram's 56 and Tim Weston's 43 in the first innings and Oram's 89, Weston's 70, Sinclair's 53 and Bevan Briggs' 50 in the second.

Patel didn't claim any wickets in his 11 overs in the first innings when Michael Mason took five for 26 and Lance Hamilton four for 39.

ND v WELLINGTON

Northern Districts' run chase fell short yesterday, despite a century from Joseph Yovich, as Wellington took maximum points in Hamilton.

The victory ensured Wellington maintained their lead at the top of the competition heading into the seventh round at the weekend.

Wellington have 34 points while Central Districts (26 points) and Otago (24) also maintained their second and third positions respectively with outright wins over Auckland and Canterbury.

Chasing an unlikely 351 for victory on the final day at Westpac Park, Northern were restricted to 263 - giving Wellington a 90-run victory despite Yovich's century.

Graeme Aldrige scored 40 not out from 63 balls batting at No 9 and apart from Peter McGlashan's 29, there were no further significant contributors to Northern's cause.

Scott Rasmussen took four for 39 from 19 overs for Wellington, Grant Elliott three for 52 and Mark Gillespie two for 80.

Jeetan Patel, who was recalled to the Black Caps squad for the second test against the West Indies starting on Friday in Wellington, failed to claim a wicket. His 17 overs yielded 42 runs.

He took one for 25 and contributed 45 with the bat in the first innings.

Wellington scored 366 and 255 for eight declared.

Northern had declared their first innings at 268 for eight and were one down for just three runs when they resumed. Their first six batsmen scored a total of 47 yesterday before Yovich entered to steady the ship. His 111 included 21 fours.