They were last summer's top qualifier for The Ford Trophy and the CENTRAL STAGS have done it again this season, securing direct entry to the 2023 Grand Final in Queenstown on 19 February wth a round to spare.

Still stinging from having been knocked out of the Dream11 Super Smash on Friday night by Northern Brave, the Stags turned the tables on ND in the one-day format with a three-wicket win in the top-of-the-table clash at McLean Park in Napier. 

The drawn-out chase wasn't as convincing as the Stags would have liked, going after 206 for victory after having dismissed ND for 205 in 48.3 overs. 

However, the hosts did well to overcome the early loss of key allrounder DOUG BRACEWELL who left the field after two overs with a groin niggle, and their fielding was on point - WILL YOUNG sharp with three catches, equalling the Stags record for the most field catches in a one-day innings.

Stepping up in Bracewell's absence was JOSH CLARKSON who played a vital role on a sweltering afternoon, and was rewarded with List A career best figures of 3-25.

Clarkson struck with just his third delivery to remove Tim Seifert (38) as he embarked on an eight-over spell in tandem with left-arm spinners AJAZ PATEL and JAYDEN LENNOX.

 

Patel went on to claim the prize wicket of Kane Williamson who top-scored for ND with 43, in his first Ford Trophy appearance since 2014. It was also the first time since their schoolboy Gillette Cup days that first cousins Williamson and DANE CLEAVER had played against each other.

VIDEO SCORECARD

With Joe Carter chipping in 41, there were handy starts for ND, but no one in the visiting side kicked on for a big one. Clarkson came back at the death for the wickets of Neil Wagner and Kristian Clarke in his final two-over spell.

At 126/1, the Stags had looked to be cruising in reply, but a cluster of wickets let ND right back into the game and ensured the Stags would not take a bonus point for good measure.

Young spinner Tim Pringle again impressed, taking his own career best 3-21 in this format while the relentless Wagner (1-34) took the big wicket of Young on 71. 

Young and BRAD SCHMULIAN had shared the 87-run second-wicket stand that had seen Central ticking along so nicely, but Wagner's blow in the 36th over at 151/4 opened the door.

The Stags lost a further three wickets in relatively short succession before Bracewell, having dropped down the order to nine, returned to the fray to help captain TOM BRUCE (27 not out with some very important steadying) get the side home with 2.4 overs to spare.

 

All six teams have one round of the regular season remaining, on 14 February. The Stags remain in Napier to host Canterbury, with Canterbury (vulnerable in third spot) needing a win to ensure their own ticket to Queenstown.

Northern Districts remain the other frontrunner for the 17 February Elimination Final but will need to beat the Otago Volts in Dunedin to make certain of qualifying. 

Defending champion the Auckland Aces and the Wellington Firebirds, currently in fifth and sixth spot respectively, play each other and need a substantial win to boost their own chances of squeaking into the playoffs.

Article added: Tuesday 07 February 2023