By CHRIS RATTUE
Auckland charged to a record Shell Trophy cricket win over Northern Districts to get their title campaign under way after three fruitless opening matches.
Northern District's resistance against mounting odds never amounted to more than a couple of brave but ultimately ineffective efforts from their batsmen as Auckland won
by an innings and 275 runs in the fourth-round clash at Eden Park's outer oval.
The massive Auckland victory was built on their 547 first-innings total, the sixth highest by an Auckland side. The margin of victory was the biggest by an innings or more in the history of the Shell Trophy.
Northern started yesterday 332 runs behind with seven second-innings wickets left, and Auckland completed their task by lunchtime.
Northern Districts crashed to a second-innings total of 77, with medium-fast bowler Graeme Aldridge having the distinction of being his side's highest scorer from the No 11 position.
Aldridge finished with 14, while there were four ducks in the innings as the Auckland pace bowlers, led by Andre Adams, exploited a pitch with alarming variations in bounce.
The pitch was not Northern's only concern.
Umpire Kevin Manley, in his first trophy match, was placed under major pressure by the Auckland appeals. Whereas he raised Auckland's anger by denying Mark Haslam an lbw decision in the first innings, he earned Northern Districts' displeasure by being over-eager with the finger in their second turn at bat.
It almost hit a crisis point when veteran middle-order batsman Grant Bradburn was given out lbw to Tama Canning.
Bradburn started on a detour that would have taken him close to Manley, where he may have engaged the umpire in conversation.
But Bradburn had a sudden rethink and decided on the direct route back to the dressing rooms rather than risk his immediate playing future.
It was really a minor moment in what was inevitable defeat for Northern.
The star of the show for Auckland was Adams, who finished with match figures of eight for 54 from 37 overs, to go with his brilliant 50 on the second day.
Northern started the match disastrously when Auckland captain Blair Pocock was dropped from the first ball he faced, and Pocock's century set the tone for a game Auckland completely dominated.
Auckland travel to Wellington for their next trophy game starting on Monday, and may have the services of Black Caps Brooke Walker and Adam Parore, while a check will be needed on the fitness of Pocock, who has damaged an old shoulder injury.
