Cricket: Taylor proves worth for Firebirds

Anaru Kitchen (R). Photo / Paul Estcourt

When it comes to T20 competitions, the imports get paid the big bucks so it must be pleasing for teams when the investment pays off.

Wellington's acquisition of Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor may have raised a few eyebrows before the start of the HRV Cup, but the right-handed batsman piloted the Firebirds to a much-needed seven-wicket win over Auckland at the Basin Reserve yesterday.

After Wellington began the competition with two losses, they had to bounce back quickly and on the back of 53 from 37 balls from Taylor and James Franklin's 68 from 38 balls, the home side coasted to victory with nine balls to spare.

"Yeah there certainly is pressure," Taylor said of being an import in the competition. "But that's why we play the game. These day's there's always going to be tight finishes in Twenty20 cricket and guys are going to have to step up but it was a good all-round performance today from everyone.

"We needed that and we bowled well and it's nice to back it up with a good partnership. But most important, it's good to have a win and put us back in the tournament."

After winning the toss and batting first, Auckland started off in fine fashion and when Anaru Kitchen (39) and Gareth Hopkins (49) put on 70 for the fourth wicket, the Aces were threatening to make 180.

But, Wellington skipper Grant Elliot took 3-16 with his right-arm medium-pacers and Jeetan Patel (2-24) proved tough to get away for the Auckland batsmen.

Elliot mixed up his bowlers with crafty changes that didn't let the Aces settle in the latter overs and Auckland managed only seven runs from the final 12 balls.

Left-arm slow bowler Ronnie Hira was economical for Auckland and took 1-27 from his four overs, but after the visitors spilled a couple of half chances in the field their total looked to be too small as they headed towards their first loss of the HRV Cup.

Michael Papps, called in to replace Jesse Ryder after he was ruled out with a calf injury, was bowled in the first over of the Wellington run chase by Auckland seamer Chris Martin.

Taylor arrived and combined with Michael Pollard (21) to add 59 for the second wicket, and after Pollard played the ball on to his own stumps Franklin and Taylor were brought together in the middle. The pair had added another 48 by the time Taylor went in the 14th over and Franklin brought the side their first victory of the HRV Cup with a flurry of boundaries.

Auckland, who remain top of the table after winning their first two games, travel to New Plymouth to meet Central Districts on Friday, while Wellington head south to meet Otago in Queenstown on Saturday.