Cricket: ND take title as Auckland chase fizzles

TAUPO - A fired-up Northern Districts needed just over two hours and less than 31 overs to seal a Shell Trophy final victory over Auckland yesterday.

Chasing a huge 452 to take the honours at Owen Delany Park, Auckland quickly showed their hand with a rocket-like start.

They scored 50 in 38 minutes and 150 in 111. But once the wickets starting falling so did their chances and in the end, which came short of the scheduled lunch break, they knew they had been beaten by the best team in the country.

Their second innings of 184 was 267 short of the target.

And for those looking for chinks in the ND armour in the hope of taking the honours next season, the news is not all that encouraging, as Northern captain Robbie Hart is sure all his players will be back for 2000-2001 season.

"We had a game plan which was no different than that we have had all season," Hart said.

"We just aimed to keep it simple. We knew they were always going to get some runs, especially early on with the new ball on a dead wicket, but once our bowlers got started we were confident we could take wickets.

"Joey Yovich, who took the match away from Auckland in the last session on the fourth day, completed a memorable match by picking up three wickets. With Bruce Martin getting another five, we didn't give them any chance."

Martin was the season's leading wicket-taker, with 36.

Auckland went out looking to score about 180 runs in the pre-lunch session.

They did that, but that was all. In losing all 10 wickets from just 185 deliveries, they handed the game to Northern.

Only Stephen Lynch, with 81 in 95 minutes from 59 deliveries, got it right. If his example had been followed by some others in what is still a talented batting line-up, Auckland might have got closer but without ever threatening to beat the best team around.

"Lynch played it sensibly," Hart said after receiving the trophy from New Zealand Cricket operations manager John Reid and sharing the glory of a trophy triumph for a second time.

"We thought they might chase 240 runs from 60 overs and reassess but they never got close to that."

Hart was nursing a cut above his eye after being whacked by the ball as it ricocheted from the stumps as Martin ended the match by bowling Reece Young.

"It was great effort from our team, with individual efforts like those from Yovich and Martin backed by a determination to support each other.

"Our top five batters have improved out of sight and players like Michael Parlane and Mark Bailey are now far better cricketers than when they were in the New Zealand frame."

With plans to restructure domestic cricket next summer, this could well be the last final as such. If that proves to be the case, it could not have been a more fitting finale.