Cricket: Aces squeak in to keep their record intact

Northern Districts batsman Hamish Marshall is bowled by Kyle Mills yesterday. Photo / Greg Bowker

Auckland are two wins from two games in their domestic T20 title defence, but not without a scare or two and a significant injury blow yesterday.

Their three-wicket win over Northern Districts before a bumper crowd of just over 5000 at Colin Maiden Park yesterday made them the early pacesetters in the HRV Cup, but two more games are to be played today.

Having won the toss, Auckland restricted ND to 155 for five.

They got to the target with one over to spare, reaching 156 for seven.

However they have lost allrounder Andre Adams for their road trip south, taking in games against Wellington tomorrow and Central Districts in New Plymouth on Friday.

Adams tried to hook a Tim Southee bouncer as things were getting tight in the run chase, missed it and was struck a solid blow above his right eye.

He left with a towel covering his face, went to hospital and had stitches inserted.

Auckland played the first part of the match well, fielding smartly, generally bowling tidily and keeping a tight hold on ND for much of their 20 overs.

That ND got to 155 boiled down to two key contributions.

Opener Brad Wilson got the innings off to a rollicking start, hitting 45 from 27 balls.

Auckland's bowlers, with Kyle Mills, Azhar Mahmood and left arm spinner Ronnie Hira particularly impressing, prevented the ND middle order making sizeable contributions.

Captain Scott Styris came out in the 13th over at 98 for three.

He's an old stager at this late innings surge, probably plays these innings in his sleep, and his unbeaten 31 off 22 balls was just the ticket to push ND up to a competitive total.

Early on Auckland were sailing along, openers Martin Guptill and Brad Cachopa racing to 50 in less than five overs. Cachopa's first four scoring shots were boundaries, three off successive Southee deliveries.

But then Auckland rather lost their way.

Guptill, who was in good touch, hooked and was caught at backward square leg before three wickets fell in 16 balls for just 11.

Bearded left arm spinner Anton Devcich played a key role, having Cachopa and Anaru Kitchen lbw, either side of Mahmood discovering it's unwise to take short singles to Williamson.

He was responding to Anaru Kitchen's slightly optimistic call and Williamson, moving swiftly from cover, was too sharp for the former Pakistan allrounder.

The first of two decisive overs came in the 13th when Auckland needed 63 off eight overs, which was challenging but certainly gettable.

Colin de Grandhomme slammed Styris for two sixes, 20 came off the over and it was Auckland's game to lose.

De Grandhomme and Gareth Hopkins added 53 in 37 balls before they were dismissed within three balls, neither out to smart shots.

Adams was struck and Ronnie Hira caught behind next ball. Suddenly ND got a big sniff of victory.

Auckland needed 21 off three overs, 13 off two, when the second match-deciding over arrived.

Southee served up three wides, whacking a bail off with his hand in frustration after the third call by umpire Evan Watkin, Colin Munro pulled a four and two to mid wicket and the job was done.

Otago can join Auckland at the top when the play Canterbury in Timaru today, while Wellington host Central Districts.