Central Districts cruised to a 78 run win as they demolished Auckland in the final of New Zealand’s domestic 50 over competition.

Central Districts batted first and lost both openers early on, both caught behind, as they fell to 3-2 inside two overs. The middle order then set about rebuilding the innings with fifties from Van Wyk and Cleaver as well as 45 from Young and 46 from Noema-Barnett. Doug Bracewell and Small then compiled quick fire twenties at the back end of the innings as Central Districts scored a challenging 271-7. The pick of the bowlers for Auckland was Grobbelaar who took 2-38 in 10 overs.

Auckland were never really in the game from the offset and lost regular wickets, falling to 110-8 before Grobbelaar and Bates showed some resistance and spirit with 45 and 43 not out respectively. The pick of the bowlers for Central Districts was Mathieson who took 4-22 in 8 overs, ripping through the Auckland middle order.

MOTM: Andrew Mathieson (4-22)