Cricket: Vincent rockets Auckland to final

Lou Vincent scored a vital (R) 77 off 61 balls against Northern Districts to put this side through to the HRV final. Photo / Greg Bowker

Lou Vincent Lou Vincent may have figured he owed Auckland some runs in their campaign to win the domestic T20 title.

Before yesterday's penultimate-round game against Northern Districts at Mt Maunganui, the former international had hit only 55 runs from 73 balls in five innings.

But Vincent stepped up yesterday, ensuring Auckland are into their fourth final in six years with a bracing 77 off 61 balls as the HRV Cup leaders chased down 136 with only two wickets lost and nine balls to spare.

Tomorrow's final round has Auckland playing Central Districts in New Plymouth, and that might prove a dress rehearsal for Sunday's final at Colin Maiden Park.

With ND's points supply drying up over the last four rounds, CD's win over Wellington yesterday put them a clear second. If they beat Auckland tomorrow the defending champions will be confirmed in their second consecutive final. Lose, and a big ND win in Christchurch could get their noses in front again.

English import Jimmy Adams played a handy support role, finishing unbeaten on 33, and got a bird's eye view of Vincent's handiwork.

"He batted beautifully today," the Essex professional said last night.

"He was one of the few guys who actually managed to go out and strike the ball sweetly. I thought he was outstanding, a serious match-winning knock."

Adams said it had been a "weird" situation going into the game at Blake Park yesterday.

"If we won the game we got a home final; if we had a bad result we might not even make it, so it's nice to get that hurdle out of the way."

Earlier ND had got off to a flier, 29 for one from the first three overs, but Auckland's tight bowling, backed by smart fielding, put a brake on the hosts. Andre Adams and Daryl Tuffey were particularly effective, and left arm spinners Ronnie Hira and Anaru Kitchen helping to further check ND's progress.

It will be the third time the T20 final has been in Auckland. Canterbury won the inaugural final at Eden Park in 2005-06 by six wickets, but Auckland bounced back with a 60-run win over Otago the following summer.

Auckland's third final appearance was the 78-run defeat to CD in New Plymouth last season.

CD thumped Wellington at the Basin Reserve yesterday on the back of a cracking 96 from only 42 balls from Jamie How.

Having been sent in, CD made 192 for eight and restricted Wellington to 163 for six, English import Ian Blackwell nabbing a tidy three for 19 with his left arm spin.

Otago's game against Canterbury in Alexandra was washed out, effectively shutting off Canterbury's final ambitions because of a poor net run rate.

In tomorrow's final round, ND play Canterbury in Christchurch while Otago host Wellington in Queenstown.

Points, with one round remaining: Auckland 28, CD 22, ND 18, Canterbury 18, Wellington 14, Otago 8.