Cricket: Southern prospects dim

The prospects of a South Island team qualifying for the State League women's one-day cricket final has nosedived during the past two days.

Double-headers in Palmerston North and Wellington saw the fortunes of Otago and Canterbury dip while Central Districts and Wellington emerged with wins to give them the inside track to the final.

Wellington beat the Cantabrians by four wickets yesterday to claim top spot after six of 10 round-robin games.

An unbeaten 55 from Megan Wakefield made the difference as both teams struggled with the bat.

Defending champions Central made it two-from-two against Otago, winning by eight wickets after the last-placed southerners collapsed to be all out for 75.

The impressive Central bowlers shared the awards, with Zara McWilliams and Kate Broadmore the pick.

The double-header in Palmerston North this weekend between third-placed Central and fourth-placed Canterbury shapes as a crucial one for both teams.

- NZPA