A devastating over from Mitchell McClenaghan last night helped Auckland claim the Georgie Pie Super Smash title with a 20-run win over Otago in New Plymouth.
After Rob Nicol dominated the Otago attack to help Auckland accrue 166-6 from their 20 overs, McClenaghan made sure that total would be enoughto take the trophy.
Otago's chase had begun in fine fashion and the required run rate was under control when the seamer strolled to the bowling crease for the seventh over. Then, in the space of four balls, McClenaghan turned the match on its head.
Hamish Rutherford was the first man out, caught by Hames Fuller for 20 from the third ball of the over. McClenaghan followed the breakthrough by dismissing Neil Broom for a golden duck and, after new man Michael Bracewell survived the hat-trick delivery, the Black Cap rounded out the over by skittling the stumps of Anaru Kitchen.
Kitchen (29 off 16) had kicked off the chase in impressive fashion, striking a pair of sixes while putting on 50 with Rutherford. But Otago were unable to recover from McClenaghan's three-wicket salvo, not helped by meandering innings from Bracewell (nine from 16) and Derek de Booder (five from 12).
That pair saw the required run rate sky-rocket and, while Jimmy Neesham (21 from 17) and Nathan McCullum (35 from 21) put up some fight, Otago's hopes were virtually extinguished when Colin de Grandhomme pulled off a stunning outfield catch to dismiss the latter.
De Grandhomme's snag helped the big-hitting batsman find revenge after McCullum dismissed him cheaply in Auckland's innings, a wicket that seemed to bode well for the southern side's chances. After all, allowing de Grandhomme and Colin Munro to combine for only 26 runs would have been a sure blueprint for success, were it not for Nicol's match-winning knock.
The opener provided the cornerstone for Auckland's innings, unfazed by the regular loss of wickets around him. Nicol smacked eight fours and three sixes en route to 77 from 54 balls, being dismissed from the final ball of the penultimate over.
The damage had already been done by that point, with Nicol enjoying handy partnerships with Brad Cachopa (21 from 22) and Robbie O'Donnell (19 from 10) to accelerate the scoring rate as the innings progressed.
Warren Barnes was the pick of the bowlers for Otago, taking 3-33, but McClenaghan was the unquestionable hero after finishing his four overs with figures of 3-23.
