Cricket: Nicol the hero in 5-wicket victory

Canterbury's Johann Myburgh is too quick for Auckland Aces keeper Reece Young yesterday. Photo / Richard Robinson

Diminutive wicketkeeper Kruger Van Wyk hit the winning runs with one ball to spare but former Aucklander Rob Nicol was the hero as Canterbury beat Auckland by five wickets in a Twenty20 match at Colin Maiden Park yesterday.

Nicol's two for 19 off four overs of off-spin was instrumental in restricting the home team to 144 for six. He opened the innings for the visitors and hit a commanding 52 off 35 balls with four sixes and three fours.

When he was caught off Ravi Bopara in the 11th over Canterbury were cruising at 83 for three.

But Auckland tightened up the game and with three overs to go Canterbury still needed 24 with Shanan Stewart and Johann Myburgh at the crease. Stewart was dropped at short third man and only six runs came off the 18th over, bowled by Bopara.

The let-off was not costly as Stewart fell next over to a brilliant diving catch by Lou Vincent at long-on off Michael Bates. Myburgh was almost dismissed by a despairing dive at midwicket but Canterbury started the last over needing 10 to win.

The odds swung Auckland's way when Daryl Tuffey scattered Craig McMillan's stumps but Van Wyk quickly dispelled local hopes with a big six to square leg and finally a drive to the mid-on boundary.

The big crowd who braved the wind were rewarded with sunshine, a close finish and belatedly some big hitting.

Auckland were put into bat by Canterbury and openers Vincent and Richard Jones feasted off the early bowling, but when both were dismissed at 30, the innings lost momentum.

Auckland's 50 took seven overs and eight more overs passed before they hit another boundary. The chief tormentor was Nicol, who bowled cannily into the stiff southwester and dismissed Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins and wicketkeeper Reece Young cheaply.

Anaru Kitchen finally broke the stranglehold in the 17th over, hitting Myburgh's first three balls for six. Bopara, who had batted steadily for an unbeaten 52 off 44 balls, took the hint and hit two sixes off the final over from Andrew Ellis.

Auckland have lost their first two games in the Twenty20 championship. Their next game is against Wellington on Friday at the Basin Reserve. They play Central Districts at Colin Maiden Park next Sunday.

In other action this week, CD play Otago tomorrow and Wellington play Canterbury.