Cricket: Auckland eager to reach final on a high

Michael Bates of the Aces. Photo / Sarah Ivey

If Auckland feel like they are travelling down a familiar road today it's because they are.

They face Canterbury in their final round robin game of the HRV Cup at Colin Maiden Park. It is a dress rehearsal for both teams ahead of Sunday's final at the same ground.

A year ago, Auckland went to New Plymouth for their final game against Central Districts - already assured of hosting the final against the same opponents four days later, but back on their east Auckland turf.

That day they got a terrible beating at Pukekura Park, losing by eight wickets.

However they regrouped to win the final by four runs and advance to the Champions League in India.

So win or lose, no worries six days ahead of the one game which really matters? Don't you believe it.

Auckland coach Paul Strang values momentum. Auckland have it and he wants it maintained before the weekend.

"We focus pretty much on what's next," Strang said yesterday.

"We want to keep confidence levels high and it's important to keep winning. How tomorrow goes will dictate how we prepare for the final."

Auckland have allrounder Andre Adams back today, and with only two overseas imports allowed in any one game - former Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood being the other - that means no place for batsman Lou Vincent, who made a surprise appearance against Otago in Dunedin on Sunday.

Adams had come down with a head cold, Vincent had just flown back into New Zealand, the plan being he would play today to ensure his availability for the Champions League should Auckland defend their domestic title.

Instead he flies out tomorrow with it being a case of job done for Auckland in terms of the Champions League.

When the teams met in the fifth round at Rangiora, Auckland won by four wickets on the back of a stunning 120 not out off just 60 balls from international opener Martin Guptill.

Even so, Auckland, courtesy of Guptill, just got over the line, chasing 183, with spinner Ronnie Hira hitting the final ball for six.

It's not really a bragging rights issue. Auckland know Canterbury to be the most formidable opponents in the cup this season. So today will be a testing out of one another, looking for possible areas to exploit on Sunday.

Unlike Auckland, who have relied heavily on Guptill's 416 runs, Canterbury's runs have come from a range of players. Four have scored between 191 and 157. Mahmood's 187 is second-best aggregate for Auckland behind Guptill.

Hira and fellow left-armer, seamer Michael Bates, have taken 11 wickets each, Kyle Mills nine in a sharing of responsibilities with the ball.

Occasional international Rob Nicol leads the country with 12 wickets at 15.91 with his offspin, while seamer Matt Henry and Pakistani import Yasir Arafat have taken eight apiece.

AUCK V CANTY

Colin Maiden Park, 5pm today
Auckland (from):

Gareth Hopkins (c), Martin Guptill, Azhar Mahmood, Brad Cachopa, Anaru Kitchen, Colin de Grandhomme, Colin Munro, Ronnie Hira, Andre Adams, Kyle Mills, Bruce Martin, Michael Bates, Chris Martin.

Canterbury:

Peter Fulton (c), Rob Nicol, George Worker, Dean Brownlie, Brendan Diamanti, Shanan Stewart, Tom Latham, Reece Young, Andrew Ellis, Yasir Arafat, Matt Henry, Mitchell Claydon.