KEY POINTS:
The big hitting exploits of Paul Hitchcock and Andre Adams swung the balance in Auckland's favour in the Twenty20 cricket final against Otago yesterday.
Neither found the boundary at Eden Park's Outer Oval in Auckland too taxing as the home side clubbed their way to 211 for five.
That proved way too much for Otago, who were dismissed off the last ball of their 20 overs for 151.
Opener Hitchcock and his partner Martin Guptill ensured all the early momentum went Auckland's way after they chose to bat first.
They put on 100 for the first wicket in fewer than 10 overs before Hitchcock went on to make 53 off 38 balls, containing seven fours and one six.
Adams followed suit, finishing unbeaten on 54 off just 31 deliveries, with two fours and four sixes beside his name.
None of the Otago bowlers was spared, with Bradley Scott conceding 56 off his four overs.
The early runout of captain Chris Gaffaney for six undermined Otago's run chase, which never got up to speed as Mayu Pasupati, Adams, Hitchcock and Rob Nicol collected two wickets each for the victors.
- NZPA
