Cricket: Auckland to host one-day final

Auckland will host the final of the country's premier one-day competition.

They beat Canterbury by six wickets in Christchurch yesterday to top the State Shield leaderboard.

Canterbury's proud record during the past decade suffered a blow when they failed to even make this week's playoffs.

Fielding their strongest side, with all five Black Caps present, Canterbury were never in the hunt against the visitors.

Auckland's victory put them in front of the field after 10 rounds. They will host the final on Saturday, against the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between runners-up Wellington and third-placed Northern Districts - both winners in yesterday's cut-throat final round.

It is only the second time in 11 seasons that Canterbury have not reached the final, where they have won seven times.

They struggled against Auckland, in what amounted to a preliminary final between the two top-placed teams, who were fielding eight of the New Zealand World Cup squad.

The home side's total of 199 for nine was inadequate after the top order failed to ignite. Several batsmen were undone by spectacular fielding and accurate bowling.

Chris Harris top-scored with 58, but fellow Black Caps Nathan Astle (32), Craig McMillan (14), and Chris Cairns (1) disappointed.

Auckland were steered to 200 for four off just 41 overs by an immaculate 96 from 105 balls by opener Matthew Horne. His fine innings served as a reminder to the national selectors that should a specialist batting replacement be required for the World Cup, he would not be a forlorn hope.

With Llorne Howell, he added 70 for the first wicket, then took control with an assured innings, including a number of deft placements and some meaty on-side shots, including 11 fours.

Auckland's victory cake was iced by Lou Vincent as he struck a stylish 42 from 33 balls, including seven sweetly-struck fours.

* World Cup allrounder Scott Styris anchored Northern to a six-wicket victory over Central Districts in Napier.

Styris scored an unbeaten 66 from 61 balls as Northern reached 172 for four from 38.4 overs in reply to Central's total of 168 from 44.4.

Styris, who hit eight fours and two sixes, looked a player in form, in stark contrast to the painstaking 61 by Black Caps team-mate Mathew Sinclair in Central's disappointing effort earlier in the day.

The Northern innings was given a solid start by opener Michael Parlane with 35 from 55 balls. When he was dismissed, Styris took charge and put on 76 in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership with Joseph Yovich to guide the visitors to a comfortable win.

Yovich, who took three for 27 to wrap up the Central innings, completed a useful double with 35 not out.

* Unheralded medium-fast bowler Ashley Turner was the toast of Wellington last night after he secured his side a home semifinal with career-best figures against Otago at the Basin Reserve.

Playing in just his 11th game, Turner ripped through Otago to take five for 12 from 8.5 overs in the 58-run victory.

Wellington will fancy their chances from here because they are less affected than Auckland and Northern in losing players to World Cup duty.

They have also developed into a side who play well under pressure and they thrive on defending meagre totals, as they again illustrated on a tricky surface yesterday.

They could only muster 177, but Otago were always on the back foot after Turner took three quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 35 for four.

The 26-year-old Hutt Districts player maintained an impeccable off-stump line and the double wind-up in his action produces more pace than batsmen give him credit for.

Otago's chase rested on the young shoulders of Brendon McCullum and he did a sterling job, scoring 55 before being ninth out.

The game was in the balance at 80 for four in the 30th over, but when Jordan Sheed (25) fell with the score on 94 it was the beginning of the end.

- NZPA