Cricket: Auckland wins with six off last ball

A six off the final ball by international seamer Kyle Mills gave Auckland a thrilling four-wicket win over Wellington at the Basin Reserve today. Photo / Getty Images.

Talk about leaving it late. A six off the final ball by international seamer Kyle Mills gave Auckland a thrilling four-wicket win over Wellington at the Basin Reserve today.

Auckland, chasing Wellington's 318 for five, required 13 off the last over, bowled by Jesse Ryder.

When Mills was unable to score off the penultimate delivery, it left him needing a boundary off the last ball, and he cleared the fence in grand style.

Mills had been the pick of Auckland's bowlers earlier, taking four for 43 while allrounder Harry Boam's rapid 98 was the standout Wellington innings.

However Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins' third List A century, 117 from 98 balls, was the cornerstone of a consistent effort, and his team's third hundred in as many games. Anaru Kitchen, Tim McIntosh, Colin Munro and Colin de Grandhomme all contributed, before Mills' final blow.

Five of six totals in the Ford Trophy on the Basin have passed 300, evidence of a cracking batting block.

Northern Districts stay top of the table, three wins from three games, after a 42-run win over Otago in Invercargill.

Daryl Mitchell's good season continued with 52, while Jono Boult's 39 off 34 balls was among several useful contributions.

Otago's innings revolved around allrounder Sam Wells, who made a solid 81. However the last four wickets fell for 15.

Canterbury were too good for Central Districts in Nelson, winning by 67 runs, opener George Worker's unbeaten 129 his second consecutive hundred against CD in this format.

ND, who sit four points clear of Canterbury, host CD in Hamilton in the fourth round on Wednesday; Auckland play Canterbury at Eden Park; and Otago face Wellington in Invercargill.