Cricket: Northern Knights qualify for Champions League

Kane Williamson starred again for the Knights, scoring 53 off just 36 balls. Photo / Getty.

Northern Districts made it three successive New Zealand teams into the Champions League tournament proper after their convincing win over the Mumbai Indians in Raipur today.

They follow Auckland and Otago in the last two seasons in making the final stage of the 10-team tournament, after a six-wicket win over the defending champions.

It follows earlier wins over Southern Express of Sri Lanka and Pakistan's Lahore Lions, who nabbed second qualifying spot with a win over the Express.

ND restricted Mumbai to 132 for nine, with man of the match Scott Styris taking three for 21, and test new ball pair Tim Southee and Trent Boult sharing four wickets.

ND made short work of the target, reaching 133 for four with more than two overs to spare.

Test batsman Kane Williamson hit his second half century of the tournament, 53 off just 36 balls, while opening partner AntonDevcich made 39 off 34.

ND have been placed in group B, along with the Barbados Tridents, Cape Cobras of South Africa, Hobart Hurricanes and IPL side the Kings Punjab XI.

Chennai Super Kings, the Dolphins of South Africa, Kolkata Knight Riders, Perth Scorchers and Lahore make up group A.

''It was a hell of a performance from the boys," captain Daniel Flynn said.

''It was led by Tim and Trent with the ball and Kane and 'Dev' got us off to a great start with the bat."

Flynn was particularly pleased with ND's fielding, which had stepped up from the opening 10-over rain-hit win over Southern Express.

''The fielding could only go one way from there and certainly it's something we pride ourselves on, so it was a matter of time before we got the bar up to where we wanted it."
ND's opening game in the tournament proper will be against Cape Cobras early on Saturday in Raipur.