Neil Wagner helped ND to their first four-day crown since 2012. Photo: Marty Melville
Northern Districts have won the Plunket Shield for the first time since 2012, with a 134-run victory over Otago at Dunedin's University Oval sealing the success.
In a poetic moment, Northern Districts bowler Neil Wagner concluded his domestic career at the same ground where he started in 2008 for Otago against ND. He moved north for the 2018/19 season.
Wagner heads to Durham Cricket this year, as a hero of the New Zealand international and domestic scene.
The final round of the domestic four-day competition was a must-win for ND, with anything other than an outright win handing the Shield to either Canterbury or Wellington.
ND captain Jeet Raval has won the Shield three times before with Auckland and Central Districts, but for many of his teammates - including Wagner - this was their first time.
"It's a massive relief, to be honest," Raval said. "We came very close last year and we were disappointed not to get our hands on it.
"This year, I think we played amazing cricket, we've been the best team in the competition, so nice to come away with the Shield."
After the win, Wagner shed a few tears during a guard of honour and Raval said that was a reflection of the years of hard work his teammate had put in.
"[He was] lionhearted and the way he bowled today, charging in over after over, bouncer after bouncer and just not giving in, and just the kind of cricketer he turned himself into, epitomises what he is about as a player and what a team man he has been. His first Plunket Shield in 17 years is a nice way for him to bow out."
Entering the final day, ND needed seven wickets and the Volts required 287 runs for victory.
Wagner took four wickets in the first session to secure a five-wicket bag and young seamer Josh Brown helped with two more wickets. The final wicket fell before lunch, with Henry Cooper's spin delivering the winning scalp.
Otago needed a concussion substitute, when Andrew Hazeldine went down off Wagner's bowling, with Ben Lockrose coming to the crease to replace him.
Earlier, Northern Districts batted first and made 411/7 declared, with Joe Carter top-scoring on 138 and Scott Kuggeleijn hitting the fastest first-class 50. Hazeldine took three wickets.
In reply, Dean Foxcroft was Otago's topscorer with 54 runs, including eight fours, when they were dismissed for 145. Raval's spin snared four wickets.
ND then scored 140 in 11 overs, before declaring with two wickets down to set up a chance to win the title. Wagner took 5/53.
The Shield winners had several standout individual performances during the match:
Jeet Raval: 48th first-class 50, 14th for Northern Districts
Joe Carter: 11th first-class 100, ninth for Northern Districts
Scott Kuggeleijn: 19th first-class 50, 16th for Northern Districts
Kuggeleijn: 20th first-class 50, 17th for Northern Districts and fastest 50 runs by balls faced (19 balls) in New Zealand first class cricket
Neil Wagner: 37th first-class five-wicket bag
