Cricket: Mighty CD show Auckland what to expect in final

Jamie How of the Stags will be a threat for the Central Stags with the bat. Photo / Getty Images

History repeats for the final of the domestic T20 competition as defending champions Central Districts face Auckland at Colin Maiden Park on Sunday.

The teams met in last year's final, CD romping home in New Plymouth and earning a place in the Champions League in South Africa.

The same incentive is in place this time and while Auckland finished top of the round robin, they were soundly beaten by CD at Pukekura Park yesterday in the final dress rehearsal.

CD have real momentum, having won five of their last six games, and taken two points from the other, a washout against Otago.

They had to win yesterday to see off a possible late bid from Northern Districts.

On the picturesque postage stamp at Pukekura Park, Auckland rattled on 180 for seven, having won the toss.

Victorian lefthander Rob Quiney, a late call-in, top scored with 55 off 29 balls, while Lou Vincent maintained his good form of late with a brisk 46 and Colin Munro chipped in with 34 off 21 balls.

But CD made no race of it, piling on 183 for two with 3.1 overs up their sleeve.

English import Ian Blackwell thundered an unbeaten 68 off 33 deliveries, with six sixes, while openers Peter Ingram and captain Jamie How cracked rapid forties.

"We had to work hard to get into the final," How said.

"We left it a bit late but we're playing pretty well."

CD will have international batsman Ross Taylor and new T20 fast-medium bowler Adam Milne available for the final. Auckland will have Martin Guptill and Kyle Mills back from New Zealand duty.

Blackwell and CD's other English pro Mike Yardy, two left arm spinners and useful batsmen with international experience, have proved valuable signings.

"They contribute off the field as much as on," How said. "We always wanted guys who would be in the team for the whole competition, gel with the team and not have guys coming in and out. They've been outstanding."

As CD were powering towards their win, ND's challenge was expiring lamely in Christchurch. They needed to win well and have Auckland beat CD to climb back into second spot.

They restricted Canterbury to 163 for five, of which Peter Fulton's 64 off 46 balls and South African allrounder Johan van der Wath's unbeaten 31 off 13 balls, including four sixes, were the key contributions.

ND were in trouble from the start with imports Brad Hodge and Herschelle Gibbs bowled for five and 0. There was no coming back from 37 for five.

In the other game, which had no bearing on the final shakedown, Otago's miserable season ended with another defeat.

Having made 147 for eight at Queenstown after being sent in by Wellington, the visitors reached their target with one ball to spare.

FINAL POINTS
Auckland 28
Central Districts 26
Canterbury 22
Northern Districts 18
Wellington 18
Otago 8