Wellington Crowned Plunket Shield Champions After Rain-Affected Final Day
Wellington have emerged victorious as the Plunket Shield champions after the final day of their match against Northern Districts in Hamilton was washed out due to inclement weather. The match at Seddon Park was a virtual final, with Wellington and Northern Districts being the only two teams in contention for the title in the final round.
Wellington entered the game with a narrow lead at the top of the table and managed to accumulate sufficient bonus points during the first two innings to maintain their advantage. Northern Districts had a glimmer of hope after Tim Seifert’s century gave them a slender lead of 88, and they had Wellington reeling at 127 for 4 in their second innings. However, they were unable to take the field on the final day, handing the title to Wellington.
Wellington captain Tom Blundell expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Ideally, you want to see the game go the distance, but it’s a competition where you work hard throughout the season. We’re unbeaten the whole season, so I think for me, we are the deserving winners.” He added, “It’s a pretty special day. For me, the Plunket Shield is probably the most rewarding trophy in domestic cricket. You play a whole season, and to come away with the Plunket Shield is a pretty special memory.”
Blundell played a pivotal role in Wellington’s triumph, scoring a century in their first innings to lift them to 323. He shared a crucial 77-run partnership with Ben Sears for the final wicket, earning vital bonus points.
Otago’s Dale Phillips emerged as the leading run-scorer for the season, amassing 686 runs at an average of 49.00, including two centuries in the final two rounds. Central Districts’ Greg Hay, who finished third with 643 runs at 49.46, announced his retirement from the game at the end of the season, signing off with an impressive 179 off 434 balls against Otago.
Wellington’s Nathan Smith was the top wicket-taker with 33 wickets at an average of 17.18, including two five-wicket hauls.
