CD batsman Jesse Ryder didn't get on so he'll have to wait for the grand final on Saturday to make his second T20 appearance this summer for the Stags. PHOTO/FILE
CD batsman Jesse Ryder didn't get on so he'll have to wait for the grand final on Saturday to make his second T20 appearance this summer for the Stags. PHOTO/FILE
Rain scuttled the dead rubber as the Central Districts Stags bailed out with an 11-run victory when the numbers had been crunched under the Duckworth-Lewis method in Auckland last night.
That would have left the Rob Nicol-skippered Auckland Aces crying in their beers pondering what-ifs as they slid from thetop rung a few rounds ago to finish fourth on the ladder on equal 20 points with the Wellington Firebirds and the Canterbury Kings above them on a marginally superior run rate.
The Firebirds, who beat the Kings by 12 runs in a rain-reduced super over (5 overs) at the Basin Reserve yesterday, will host the latter again in the preliminary final of the McDonald's Super Smash T20 on Thursday. That game will decide who earns the right to face the Stags in New Plymouth on Saturday in the grand final.
The Wellingtonians, who had a sluggish start to their campaign, came through with somewhat of a Houdini act.
At Eden Park, the Aces posted a bullish target of 212-4 on the platform of a superb 116 not out from opener/wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips off 57 deliveries and 50 runs from No3 Jeet Raval off 37 balls.
Brisbane Heat import Luke Feldman was the most frugal with two quick overs for a wicket before he looked like dashing to the airport to catch his flight back to the Big Bash League.
The match was abandoned at 7.27pm, reduced to eight overs, and the target reduced to 72 runs after two rain interruptions.
CD opener Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 45 and George Worker on 29 but the Sri Lankan, who lost his top batsman's perch to Phillips by two runs, should regain it in the grand final.
The much-awaited return of Jesse Ryder for his second appearance in the T20 this summer will have to be on hold until the grand final on Saturday when CD will be banking on a big knock from the 32-year-old former Black Cap.
