KEY POINTS:
Auckland's winning start to the Twenty20 cricket season is over after Canterbury snatched a two-wicket win off the penultimate ball in Auckland today.
Todd Astle heaved a Chris Martin ball over midwicket for four to lift Canterbury to 163 for eight off 19.5 overs in response to Auckland's 159 for seven.
The difference for Canterbury in an even contest was the strike bowling of Shane Bond and some power hitting in the middle order from Shanan Stewart, Corey Anderson and Carl Frauenstein.
Bond took three early wickets which reduced the hosts to 21 for three, while the former New Zealand pace bowler also chipped in with a late run out.
English import Steven Croft struck 50 off 42 balls for Auckland while Luke Vivian's 30 off 21 balls included three sixes.
Canterbury's chase was relatively circumspect through the first half but that changed when Stewart raced to 36 off 26 and Anderson 23 off 13. Frauenstein's late cameo of 27 off 16 helped to seal the deal, helping Canterbury join Auckland on two wins through three rounds.
Scores
Auckland 159-7 (Steven Croft 50, Scott Styris 35, Luke Vivian 30; Shane Bond 3-26) lost to Canterbury 163-8 in 19.5 overs (Shanan Stewart 36, Carl Frauenstein 27, Corey Anderson 23; Chris Martin 2-19) by two wickets
- NZPA
