Central Districts broke a four-game State Shield one-day cricket losing streak with a 51-run win over Auckland at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth yesterday - but to no avail.
Leaders at the halfway stage of the competition, Central lost their way at the business end and went into
yesterday's game fourth on the table, reliant on a Canterbury loss if they were to make Wednesday's semifinal.
Canterbury didn't oblige, beating Northern by five runs, but Central Districts at least showed again what they were capable of, flaying the Auckland attack to compile 301 for eight after being sent in to bat.
Not even the absence of international Ross Taylor ahead of next week's Chappell-Hadlee series, reportedly on a directive from New Zealand Cricket, seemed to faze the hosts.
A pivotal third-wicket partnership of 111 between opener George Worker and captain Mathew Sinclair provided the base for a solid Central win.
Worker was out in the 38th over with the score on 202 for three, driving the first ball of Steven Croft's first over straight to point, where Reece Young took a diving catch. His 86 came off 104 balls, with three sixes and eight fours.
Kieran Noema-Barnett departed just seven runs later, leaving Central Districts on 209 for four, as new Black Cap Brendon Diamanti came in.
Diamanti impressed with a snappy 25 off 18 balls before he was caught behind by Gareth Hopkins off Kyle Mills in the 44th over.
Sinclair batted through, finishing unbeaten on 87 to leave Auckland a daunting target. Croft was the best of the Auckland bowlers, finishing with three for 27 off four overs, while Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey and Rob Nicol picked up one apiece.
Auckland didn't start well, losing opener Martin Guptill with the total on just 11 but still scored at over five an over while losing wickets regularly.
An 86-run stand for the sixth wicket between Nicol and Mills revived Auckland's hopes but the last four wickets fell for just 16 runs.
- NZPA
