Worcestershire Rapids 2023 signing Mitchell Santner completed a superb all-round performance by helping Northern Districts to a thrilling 35-run win on the final day of the Plunket Shield match with Central Districts in Mount Maunganui.
Santner picked up two more wickets, including the last man out and century-maker Tom Bruce, as Central Districts were bowled out for 427 after being set a 463 target.
He finished the game with a total of 177 runs, including a career-best 136 in the first innings and eight wickets.
Santner, who will be playing for the Rapids in the Vitality Blast this summer, helped instigate a late collapse as Central Districts recovered from 74-4 to reach 414-5 at one stage.
Greg Hay (150) and Bruce (161) put on 270 for the fifth wicket to turn the game in Central Districts’ favour.
But Santner struck to dismiss Doug Bracewell for 50, and it was the start of a collapse which saw five wickets fall for 13 runs.
The left-arm spinner had the final say when Bruce was trapped lbw for 161.
Santner had second innings figures of 3-102 from 36.2 overs, and his overall match analysis was 62.3-10-153-8 in a splendid effort by the 31-year-old.
