Leading by example

MATCH WINNERS: Whanganui cricketers Akash Gill (left) and Connor O'Leary led the charge in CD's win over Canterbury at the national under-17 tournament at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Christchurch.

Whanganui players Akash Gill and Connor O'Leary led the charge in Central District's win against Canterbury in one day action in the national under-17 tournament at Lincoln in Christchurch on Wednesday.

In a match reduced to 24 overs by rain, CD won by six wickets after electing to bowl first after winning the toss.

Both Gill and O'Leary were major factors with ball in hand keeping the run rate down.
Canterbury battled throughout to gather a reasonably respectable 172/8 after 24 overs with Gill taking three scalps for just 24 runs off five overs, while O'Leary claimed a wicket for 19 runs from five overs.

The sole wicket was vital though. He bowled opener Ben Hartland when he was on 25 and poised to make a significant mark on the game. Hartland is son of former New Zealand cricketer Blair Hartland.

CD got off to a slow but steady start to their batting innings until Gill and captain Kurtis Weeks came on a second and third drop respectively.

Gill top scored with 64 not out, while Weeks chimed in with a handy 57 before being caught.

Not huge totals, but the runs came off 46 and 38 balls respectively.
CD reached 175 for the loss of four wickets after 21.2 overs to claim the match by six wickets.

CD coach Dilan Raj praised the actions of the Whanganui lads and Hawkes Bay skipper for leading the side to a win.

"Akash and Connor made sure we stayed in the game by limiting runs at the start - they had great games," Raj said.

"And Akash and Kurtis did an outstanding job with the bat. Looking at the balls they faced showed they ran Canterbury ragged."

CD had two draws in the two day action with Wellington taking first innings points in the first match and. CD then claimed first innings points against Northern Districts before a rest day on Tuesday.

CD were playing Wellington again yesterday, this time in the one day format although the result was unavailable at press time.