New Zealand News - Canterbury take Plunket Shield title after tight race that needs second tie-breaker

Canterbury claimed the Plunket Shield title – in the competition’s 100th edition – but a tight race had to be decided by the second tie.

Both Canterbury and Otago finished level on points and wins (four), which would have been the initial deciding factor, so it came down to a net runs-per-wicket permutation – calculated on runs-per-wicket minus runs-per-wicket against – over the season, on which Canterbury was comfortably ahead.

In the final round, Canterbury has a building big lead over Auckland while they piled up 591 with Leo Carter making 169, to end the season averaging 70.50 from four matches, and Rhys Mariu 142. This meant that Otago’s win by four wickets over Wellington – where they chased down 345 after being 84 for 9 in their first innings – was not enough to see them through. It was the 21st time Canterbury had won the Plunket Shield.

“For us, and I think for most teams, it (the Plunket Shield) is the pinnacle. It’s the toughest format, and we know how much hard work goes into it.” canterbury captain Henry Nichollswho was the competition’s leading run-scorer with 870 at 96.66, said.

“Reflecting on the start of the season, to be here now … some guys like me have won it a few times but some of the guys who haven’t, it’s an incredibly special feeling. I felt we played so much good cricket this year we deserved to have something to show for it. You don’t always get what you deserve but it’s a bloody good feeling.”

Nicholls also acknowledged the role played by former coach Peter Fulton, who left before the end of the season to take up his new role at Middlesex. “He played a huge part in shaping the team we have today and the success is a credit to so many people within the organization in Canterbury,” he said.

Fraser Sheath was Canterbury’s leading wicket-taker with 28 at 25.67, one ahead of Michael Rae, who made his Test debut against the West Indies during the season. Raymond Toole of Central Districts was the overall leading wicket taker for the tournament with 35 at 23.57.