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Azhar Abbas needed just one mighty blow to take Auckland to victory over Wellington in their Twenty20 match at Eden Park yesterday.
The Eden-Roskill player-coach faced his first ball with Auckland needing three runs off two balls to better Wellington's modest 128 for seven. The hosts had already
lost two wickets in the over bowled by Black Cap off-spinner Jeetan Patel.
Abbas, who had already taken two wickets at the top of the Wellington innings, smote his first ball from Patel straight over the bowler's head and almost into the Cricket Society headquarters.
It was a dramatic ending to a match that Auckland dominated from the start but somehow allowed Wellington a sniff of victory. It leaves the Aucklanders well placed to make the final of the competition.
After asking Wellington to bat, they reduced them to 60 for seven wickets after 12 overs and a rout seemed possible. A rusty-looking Stephen Fleming managed one sublime cover drive before falling to a steepling catch at midwicket off a mistimed pull for 13.
Jesse Ryder made a duck after facing only one ball. He started for a short single from the non-striker's end only to be sent back by BJ Crook as bowler Chris Martin sprawled across the pitch to stop the ball and somehow swivelled to throw down the stumps.
Wellington's innings was saved by an unbeaten partnership of 68 off 49 balls between Matthew Bell, who finished with 42, and Luke Woodcock, who made 25.
Bell had come in at the fall of the sixth wicket and he profited from an extraordinary 16th over bowled by Colin de Grandhomme. The first seven deliveries contained two no-balls, which went for four and six, and six other runs. With the bowler's rhythm destroyed the over was completed by Scott Styris.
De Grandhomme made amends with a brisk 26 at the start of the Auckland innings and after five overs the hosts were cruising at 35 for two. Captain Richard Jones contributed 32 and at 74 for four after 12 overs, the result looked a formality.
But there was drama when Gareth Hopkins had to retire with an injured back and when hard-hitting Luke Vivian departed for 22, Wellington scented a fairytale comeback. Patel seemed the likely magician until Abbas broke the spell to launch Auckland to a winning total of 132 for seven with one ball to spare.
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Fast bowler Shane Bond hurried Canterbury to victory over Central Districts in Christchurch.
The former international took four for 19 as Central Districts were dismissed for just 135 chasing Canterbury's 148 for eight at QEII Park. He removed opener Marc Calkin for a first-ball duck and later returned to get rid of topscorer Jamie How, who contributed 62 of his team's runs from 50 balls.
Carl Frauenstein maintained the pressure in taking three for 20 and Todd Astle took two for 12.
Canterbury's total was built around a neat 50 from Shanan Stewart off 33 deliveries, with support roles played by Michael Papps with 32 and Johann Myburgh with 28.
Otago comfortably beat Northern Districts by 21 runs despite a stunning debut by Brad Wilson. The 23-year-old smacked 91 off 53 deliveries but lacked support as Northern Districts could muster just 170 for eight in response to Otago's 191 for four.
