Cricket: CD push Auckland from top slot

Colin de Grandhomme of Auckland. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland and Central Districts swapped places at the top of the domestic 50-over competition yesterday.

Auckland's trip to Palmerston North proved fruitless as they lost by five wickets. The outcome means CD take over at the head of the Ford Trophy standings on 17 points, two clear of Auckland with Otago a further two back.

The result is Auckland's second consecutive defeat, after their 65-run loss to Canterbury in Timaru.

They made 225 in 50 overs yesterday, no one putting together a significant score in the top order.

Middle order men Colin Munro, with a lively 50, and Colin de Grandhomme, who whacked 45 in 39 balls, put some substance in the total.

CD did a good job in the chase, reaching the target with 4.2 overs to spare.

They were wobbling early at 20 for two. However, Ben Smith's 74 off 81 balls set things up nicely.

They needed 62 off the last 15 overs with six wickets standing; 41 in the last 10 with five wickets left, and Kieran Noema-Barnett (38 not out) and Dane Cleaver (24 not out) completed the assignment with an unbroken 48-run stand.

Matt Quinn, with three for 49, was the pick of the Auckland attack.

Auckland next face Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

Northern Districts have recalled Jono Hickey for their game against Canterbury in Rangiora today, replacing international Corey Anderson. Anton Devcich is back to add some strength to the ND side too.

Northern have also upgraded young wicketkeeper Tim Seifert to a full contract.

ND squad to play Canterbury: Daniel Flynn (c), Dean Brownlie, Anton Devcich, Jono Hickey, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Jono Boult, Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert, Anurag Verma, Scott Kuggeleijn, Graeme Aldridge.

Points standings: CD 17 (5 games), Auckland 15 (5), Otago 13 (4), ND 8 (4), Canterbury 4 (4), Wellington 0 (4).