O'Leary helps Central to runner-up position

Three key wickets by Whanganui seamer Connor O'Leary helped to give his Central Districts Under 17 team the bonus point victory which saw them finish second equal in the national tournament at Lincoln Oval yesterday.

Backing up from a disappointing nine-wicket loss to Wellington U17 on Wednesday, Central Districts bowled Northern Districts U17 out for 199 in the 46th over.

Northern had made a strong start with a 134 run opening partnership, but a runout and then O'Leary having a catch taken off his bowling got rid of both the dangermen.

Only one other Northern batsman would reach double figures as O'Leary picked up two more middle order wickets to finish with 3-45 from his ten overs.

"He bowled really well," said coach Dilan Raj.

Bowler TJ Watson cleaned up the tail to take 4-25 in his seventh over.

In reply, Central needed to get to 200 before 40 overs to pick up the crucial bonus point and finish tied for runner-up on the table, which they did with nine balls to spare, reaching 200-3 in the 39th over.

The chase was led by a superb 116 not out from 104 balls by opener BL Wiggins.

It was a big turnaround from the day before when Central were bowled out by Wellington for 77, with the No11 O'Connor being the last to fall for four runs in the 27th over.

Raj said the team had not come back well from having to sit around while the weather cleared from Monday.

"The rain crippled us, and we struggled the day after. We had three days and no cricket.
"Then you had eleven guys playing as individuals."

Wellington reached their target in the 15th over, with O'Connor finishing with 0-25 from his four overs.