Cricket: Jingles and singles work for Howick

The addition of top-order batsman John Aiken to the Howick Pakuranga lineup has not only strengthened their hand in the first-grade cricket competition, but has also brought to light a hidden musical talent.

Before the start of the season an act of arson razed the club's Lloyd Elsmore Park headquarters. The first team determined not only to do a Phoenix act from the ashes, but also to win the championship as a confidence-booster for the club.

Hence the addition of Aiken, with a guitar in his baggage, and former Central Districts medium-fast left-armer David Blake to their lineup.

Aiken revealed his musical talent to his team-mates during the one-day rounds and ever since music has been an integral part of their game. When Aiken is batting, skipper Rowan Armour strums along with considerable ability.

Never allowed to play the guitar when part of the Wellington side, Aiken and Armour believe quietly making music and singing during the course of the match brings the players together.

"It is a new dimension for us, and the team has reacted to it very positively with good performances," said Armour.

Against top side Grafton they almost made the perfect start to the two-day competition. The loss of an hour's play was frustrating, but after establishing a 99-run firstinnings lead Howick Pakuranga had Grafton foundering at 89 for nine when bad light stopped play.

Suburbs New Lynn and East Coast Bays made perfect starts to the first-division championship with outright wins over Takapuna and North Shore respectively. Cornwall gained first-innings points against University Akarana.

Birkenhead made the best start in the second division with an outright win over Eden Roskill, while Papatoetoe took a first-innings lead over Parnell.

Yesterday Parnell pulled off a major surprise by beating previously unbeaten Cornwall by five wickets in the Auckland first-grade one-day competiton.

At Cornwall Park, Auckland Aces all-rounder Kyle Mills broke a Max League bowling record with six for 24 from four overs in the Northern Districts first innings.

ND were dismissed for 75, although they fought back to set the unbeaten Aces a formidable target of 104.

Auckland reached the target with two balls to spare after strong hitting by Llorne Howell, Aaron Barnes and Craig Pryor.