By CHRIS RATTUE
Auckland went on a fruitless, but highly entertaining, run-scoring spree against Northern Districts before their Shell Cup campaign ended at Eden Park yesterday.
Records were threatened and tumbled as Auckland piled on 318 for five - led by a brilliant unbeaten 133 from Lou Vincent - to score a 131-run victory.
The result meant Northern Districts, who led the competition going into the final round, missed the direct route into the best-of-three finals and must now play in a semi against Central Districts in Napier on Sunday.
With Central cleaning out Otago in quick time, Auckland's Shell Cup fate had been sealed by the time Northern's openers, Michael Parlane and Daniel Vettori, began the run chase in the final round-robin match.
Canterbury, who beat Wellington by 14 runs in Christchurch last night, qualified automatically for the final.
Canterbury scored 207-7 from their 50 overs and Wellington were dismissed for 193 from the second to last ball of the match.
Auckland might still claim the Phoenix award for rising from the ashes of the abysmal defeat against Central, when they scored just 73 on the same Eden Park wicket they plundered runs on yesterday.
Whereas 73 was close to the province's lowest total, 318 was Auckland's best in the Shell Cup and 131 their biggest winning margin by runs.
As one commentator said, it was a classic case of going from the outhouse to the penthouse.
It was also the highest Shell Cup total at Eden Park and the fourth highest in the competition. Vincent's total was the third best in Auckland history (he holds the record of 145).
At the other end of the scale, Scott Styris gave up 84 runs from nine overs, the fourth most runs conceded by a bowler in the cup.
The beginning of the match never hinted at the extraordinary batting that was to come. Northern won the toss and Auckland batted first, scoring less than two runs an over in the first six.
The tenor almost changed in one ball, which was edged by opener Llorne Howell for four.
Howell has struggled to make the Auckland side and was not even due to play in this game.
But Blair Pocock was forced out with a neck injury - one claim was that the Auckland captain had suffered the injury through shaking his head in disbelief during the shambles against Central Districts.
Howell began like a man who did not really know his place in the Auckland scheme of things, but the edge for four off Daryl Tuffey in the seventh over, followed by a superb chip over mid-wicket for six, began Auckland's run barrage.
Howell went on to a brilliant 67, Adam Parore smashed 61, including five sixes, and Vincent produced a sublime display. He took 17 balls to score his first run, but went on to celebrate a great moment in his young career.
He survived two anxious moments. The first came when Simon Doull claimed a catch low to the ground after Vincent had lapped a delivery from Grant Bradburn behind square when he was on 17. The umpires sought television help, and Vincent got the nod to stay. One run later, he was dropped by Michael Parlane, off Bradburn again.
Vincent celebrated his century by punching the air, and went on to complete his 133 off just 137 balls, with 15 fours and two sixes.
He even figured in Northern's batting demise, with two catches and a brilliant run out as they totalled 187.
It was Vincent's day.
Cup points:
Canterbury 12, Central Districts 12, Northern Districts 11, Auckland 10, Wellington 8, Otago 7.
Cricket: Vincent lashes century, but it's all in vain for Auckland
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