It's down to the wire. The destination of the 1907 Plunket Shield may not be known until the final day of the 2024/25 national first-class season, with three teams capable of winning the title over the next four days.
With a seven-point lead heading into tomorrow’s last round, Northern Districts will control their own destiny in their Dunedin match — against the out-of-contention Otago Volts, if they win outright and take at least one first innings bonus point.
Or, finish ahead of the other teams in the event of two drawn matches, in which up to eight points will still be available from the first innings.
Eight points are available to each of the teams for meeting first innings targets, and a further 12 points are banked for an outright win.
The other two contenders —the defending champion Wellington Firebirds and their opponent Canterbury, at the Cello Basin Reserve — can still catch Northern if things don’t go to plan for the visitors in Dunedin.
Both need an outright win to give themselves the best possible chance, on a result wicket.
Should either match finish early, there could be a nervous wait for remaining contenders — with all eyes on the other match’s livescoring until the outcomes of both four-dayers are known.
Northern is in pole position to break a long-running drought in the first-class championship, having last lifted the storied trophy in the 2011/12 season, when Brad Wilson — now a first-class umpire — was captain.
Canterbury last lifted the Plunket Shield in the 2016/17 season, when Head Coach Peter Fulton was still playing for the side.
In the only dead rubber over the next four days, the Central Stags will meanwhile host the Auckland Aces at Palmerston North’s Fitzherbert Park with all matches scheduled to begin at 10.30am and livescoring and free livestreams available at ww.nzc.nz, on the NZC app and on NZC YouTube.
All matches are free admission.
