Cricket: Canterbury vault into playoffs

The loss of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell in four Logan van Beek deliveries undercut ND's bid for late runs. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The domestic T20 playoff teams have been finalised and even though they have one game outstanding, Auckland won't be in the mix this week.

Auckland finish their HRV Cup campaign at Eden Park's outer oval against winless Central Districts tomorrow.

However Canterbury's strong rails run, including a five-wicket win over Northern Districts in Christchurch yesterday, has jumped them into the frame. Canterbury have won four of their last six games and picked up two points from washouts in the other two.

Chasing ND's 156 for six, Canterbury reached the target with one over to spare.

Opener Rob Nicol cracked 61 in 48 balls, his 64-run opening stand with George Worker in 7.3 overs providing the ideal platform. Peter Fulton's 30 off 17 balls effectively made sure of the win.

Earlier, Anton Devcich and Brad Wilson put on 86 for the second wicket, but the loss of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell in four Logan van Beek deliveries undercut ND's bid for late runs.

The two points Otago received from their washout against CD in Dunedin yesterday means they are top after the round robin and will get the bye straight into Saturday's final in Hamilton. ND and Canterbury finished second and third and will meet again in the playoff at Seddon Park on Friday.