KEY POINTS:
Promising Canterbury bowler Hamish Bennett produced the 10th best domestic one-day bowling figures by a New Zealander to keep his team in the hunt for a semifinal place at Eden Park yesterday.
The tall and strong Bennett took six for 45 - all six in a row - as Canterbury kept their State Shield flame burning with a three-wicket win.
Having dismissed Auckland for 178 in 43.1 overs, Canterbury chased down the target with 9.5 overs to spare, reaching 183 for seven.
It was Auckland's second loss in what has been an impressive campaign, but they did not take advantage of decent batting conditions on a warm day. Only in-form opener Martin Guptill, with 51 in 82 balls, and Rob Nicol, who hit 50, chipped in with decent contributions.
But that pair, who added 88 for the third wicket, were the first two of 20-year-old Bennett's bag, departing in the space of 10 Bennett deliveries.
He followed up with four more wickets in a 16-ball burst which chopped through Auckland's middle-lower order.
Bennett is in good company in the record books; only Warren Wisneski (Canterbury) and Evan Marshall (Otago) of those with better figures have not played for New Zealand.
Canterbury made a rocky start, losing Michael Papps and Johann Myburgh in the first three overs.
However Shanan Stewart with a snappy 70 and Chris Harris (40) ensured Canterbury would win, despite losing three wickets in 12 balls near the end.
Central Districts stay in the semifinal hunt with a five-wicket win over Northern Districts in Palmerston North. ND, who were sent in, reached 228 for six, captain James Marshall making 66.
CD had a couple of early scares before Tim Weston, with an unbeaten 77, Greg Hay (40) and Ewen Thompson, who thumped 62 not out off 36 balls, made sure of the win.
Wellington might still squeeze into the 2nd v 3rd semifinal if other results in the final two rounds go their way after beating Otago by five wickets at the Basin Reserve today.
Wellington reached 242 for five, Stephen Fleming stroking 93, Matthew Bell making 49 in a 97-run third-wicket stand.
In the penultimate round on Sunday, ND play Auckland in Hamilton, Canterbury play Otago in Christchurch and CD host Wellington in Palmerston North.
Points after eight rounds: Auckland 25, Central Districts 18, Canterbury 18, Otago 16, Wellington 15, Northern Districts 10.
