Cricket: Rain wrecks teams' hopes for final spot

By Terry Maddaford

Auckland and Wellington have only longshot chances of reaching the Shell Trophy cricket final after picking up just a point each in rain-interrupted fourth-round games which ended yesterday.

No play was possible at Colin Maiden Park after heavy overnight rain seeped under the covers, ruling out a start to Northern Districts' chase for the 417 they needed for first-innings points against Auckland.

Both teams took a point, as did Wellington and Central Districts after a late start at the Basin Reserve.

Wellington, after two days sitting in the dressing room, took their first- innings tally to 229 for eight - Gavin Larsen 118 not out - before setting Central an 80-over chase.

Central lost a couple of wickets before shutting up.

The point was enough to take Central a point clear, on 15, over Otago, with ND a point back in third. Auckland and Wellington have nine each and Canterbury four.

An outright win to Central or Otago in their clash at Alexandra's Molyneux Park in the last round, starting on Friday, would guarantee them the home advantage for the final.

An outright win over Canterbury in Hamilton would take Northern into the final, while Auckland and Wellington meet at the Petone Recreation Ground in a game which will need to produce an outright for either side to have any hopes of progressing.