Cricket: Auckland canter to victory

Auckland batsman Matt Horne checks on the whereabouts of the ball as Central's wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs swoops at Eden Park yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Auckland cantered to a third consecutive State Championship win as Central Districts faltered on the final day of their match at the Eden Park outer oval.

Championship leaders Auckland held the edge throughout the four days but even they would not have expected to triumph in quite the manner which eventuated.

The home side won by seven wickets with Richard Jones and Matt Horne's 172-run opening partnership - a record against Central Districts - easing them to the 223 target.

Some morning rain and one early false stroke from Jones, who went on to make 110, were about the only hiccups in a remarkable day for Auckland who have put their one-day horrors behind them.

For once, the weather cleared and only five overs were lost. Auckland struck immediately. Tama Canning and Andre Adams, with a wicket each, finished off Central Districts for the addition of just one further run.

Starting the day at 274-8 and a lead of 220 - with Bevan Griggs and Andrew Schwass at the wicket - Central would have hoped to set a target of at least 250.

But 221 never looked enough.

Jones skied an early pull off Lance Hamilton just over midwicket - a lucky escape. And Horne did not score until the 11th over. He made up for that by lobbing a six over long leg off Schwass for his first scoring stroke, and then went really wild by adding a four just two balls later. Auckland were on their way.

Jones and Horne were in total command against a lifeless effort from the Central bowlers and fielders.

Hamilton, who was full of vigour as the main destroyer of Auckland's first innings, struggled. And Auckland looked headed for a 10-wicket win until the part-timer Jamie How grabbed two wickets.

Ironically, the only blot on the Auckland landscape arrived in the form of Lou Vincent - who set up the victory with a brilliant first innings century.

A rush of Vincent blood, and a rush up the wicket, he lobbed a catch to backward square off How with victory a few runs away.

Auckland's next match starts against Wellington on Saturday on the main Eden Park ground.