Cricket: CD pipped after Finch stunner

Central Districts were pipped at the post as they suffered their second loss at the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament in South Africa today.

The New Zealand representatives went down by seven wickets at Centurion to Australian side Victoria, who got him with just two balls to spare.

Opener Aaron Finch proved the difference, guiding Victoria home with a swaggering 93 not out off just 60 balls to chase down Central's 165 for five.

Central opener and captain Jamie How was the standout for his team, a forthright, unbeaten 77 off 55 balls ensuring his side posted a competitive total after they had lost their opening group A match to India's Chennai Super Kings by 57 runs at Durban last weekend.

But How's impressive knock, which contained 10 fours and three sixes, was later overshadowed by Finch, who helped himself to 11 fours and three sixes, including a strike over long on to secure victory as his best Twenty20 score marked a tournament high from a batsman.

Central had started nervously as Peter Ingram was caught at mid wicket for a duck and Tim Weston managed just two before edging behind to leave them at three for two inside the opening over from Australian international Peter Siddle.

Mathew Sinclair did better to make 14 but the main support for How was offered by George Worker, who hit 29 off 25 balls before allrounder Brendon Diamanti chipped in with 19 off 11.

How was comfortably the leading light in a knock highlighted by five successive fours in the 18th over off John Hastings which realised 28 runs after Diamanti hit a six off the first ball.

Likewise, Finch dominated Victoria's response after losing Rob Quiney and Matthew Wade in quick succession to leave them at 49 for two after seven overs.

Fifty-seven runs were required off the last five overs, but Finch was calm, heaving Worker over square leg in the 16th over and top-edging Michael Mason to fine leg in the 17th.

Andrew McDonald, who ended unbeaten on 18, joined the fun by cross-batting Mason over long off to reduce the equation to 36 off 18 balls.

Brad Patton dropped McDonald off the last ball of the 19th, more importantly conceding two runs and leaving Victoria needing 12 off the last over.

Finch duly sealed the deal, edging Doug Bracewell through third man before launching him out of the park to end the game.

How had mixed emotions after the match. He was happy that his side produced an improved performance but disappointed they came up short.

"We lost it in the field - a couple of dropped chances, a couple of misfields," he told reporters.

"You can't do that with a quality side. It was a patchy performance, better than the last game, but we are here to win games."

- NZPA