Cricket: Vincent stars as Auckland runs riot over Wellington

Lou Vincent's unbeaten 105 runs were too much for Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

Lou Vincent boosted his stocks ahead of Tuesday's Indian Premier League auction with an unbeaten century as Auckland beat Wellington by 68 runs in a national men's Twenty20 cricket championship match at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland today.

Auckland's 229 for three in 20 overs was the highest score in the history of the competition, surpassing Central Districts' 224 against Wellington in the 2007/08 season.

The partnership of 149 between Vincent and fellow opener Martin Guptill was also the highest for any wicket in competition history, eclipsing last season's 140 against Canterbury by Otago's Nathan McCullum and Dimitri Mascarenhas.

Vincent's imperious 105 not out came off 60 balls. It included eight boundaries and he cleared the rope six times.

Guptill, back in action after suffering a hamstring injury in round one, was no slouch either as he and Vincent set a fiery pace from the opening ball, smashing Wellington's bowlers all around the park.

He hit seven fours and a six for his 62 off 35 balls before he was caught by Neil Parlane in the deep off an Andy McKay delivery.

Although Colin De Grandhomme fell cheaply for six, Scott Styris' quickfire 40 off 21 balls saw Auckland achieve their handsome total.

A shattered Wellington, staring at a run rate of better than 11.45 an over for the win, were feeble in their response.

Parlane provided the only resistance with six fours and five sixes on the way to an 85 off 50 balls before he sent a Styris delivery straight into the hands of Vincent.

Daryl Tuffy, two for 26, and Michael Bates, two for 43, were the best of the Auckland bowlers.

* Auckland v Wellington Twenty20 scoreboard

Auckland

L Vincent not out 105
M Guptill c Parlane b McKay 62
C de Grandhomme c Houghton b Patel 6
S Styris c Bell b McKay 40
G Hopkins not out 7

Extras (5b, 1lb, 2w, 1nb) 9
Total (for 3 wkts, 20 overs) 229
Fall: 149, 157, 216.

Bowling: J Franklin 3-0-32-0 (1nb), D Bowden 3-0-46-0 (1w), J Patel 4-0-33-1, M Houghton 4-0-42-0, L Woodcock 2-0-26-0, A McKay 4-0-44-2 (1w).

Wellington

D Bowden b Bates 8
N Parlane c Vincent b Styris 85
O Shah c Kitchen b Bopara 11
J Franklin run out 3
C Nevin c Kitchen b Hira 8
L Woodcock c Guptill b Tuffey 13
C Merchant c Young b Bates 6
M Bell c Hira b Tuffey 4
M Houghton not out 5
J Patel not out 5

Extras (1b, 2lb, 10w) 13
Total (for 8 wkts, 20 overs) 161
Fall: 35, 81, 86, 97, 130, 137, 150, 151.

Bowling: M Bates 4-0-43-2, D Tuffey 4-0-26-2, C de Grandhomme 2-0-17-0, S Styris 4-0-35-1 (1w), R Hira 4-0-23-1, R Bopara 2-0-14-1.

Result: Auckland won by 68 runs.

- NZPA