Cricket: Young guns star in Super Smash opener

Mark Chapman of Auckland bats during the McDonalds Super Smash T20 match between the Auckland Aces and Otago Volts. Photo / Getty

Two elite young talents have shone for Auckland on the opening day of the Super Smash Twenty 20 competition.

19-year old Glenn Phillips and 22-year old Mark Chapman showcased their immense potential, both striking rapid half-centuries to guide Auckland to a victory over Otago.

Phillips projects as an international short-form opener in the near future, with the destructive keeper-batsman blasting 55 from 32 balls to set up Auckland for a big total.

When he departed, Chapman took over and upped the ante, smashing a remarkable 76 from 32 balls. The Hong Kong international smoked seven sixes and four boundaries, receiving excellent support from Sean Solia (30 not out off 24 balls) as Auckland racked up an imposing 198-5 at Eden Park Outer Oval.

Otago looked briefly threatening as Anaru Kitchen (42) and Derek De Boorder (44) added 65 for the second wicket, but they were always well behind the required run rate and fell 22 runs short of the total.

Runs were less prolific in Hamilton, where Northern Districts managed to defend a below-par score of 142 to topple Wellington by seven runs.

The Knights looked set for a competitive total at 100-2 but fell apart in the middle order as Wellington claimed the upper hand.

The Firebirds were in control of the chase at 28-0 after three overs, but brilliant bowling from Daryl Mitchell (4-35) and Australian import Ben Laughlin (3-13) saw wickets tumble.

Knights' Ben Laughlin celebrates the dismissal of Firebirds' Jeetan Patel. Photo / Photosport

Only Tom Blundell passed 13 for Wellington, and he nearly single-handedly dragged the visitors to victory. Dropped twice early in his innings, a career-best 63 from 42 balls included several late sixes as he got the Firebirds within striking distance, leaving the tail order requiring eight runs off the last two balls for victory.

However, 19-year-old bowler Zak Gibson held his nerve at the death to give the Knights the victory.

In the other match played this round, Central Districts defeated Canterbury by seven runs thanks to the Duckworth-Lewis system.

CD had four batsmen make 30 as an all-round effort saw them post 198-6 on the small Pukekura Park ground.

In reply, Canterbury were 77-3 after 8.5 overs when the rain came and washed away their hopes of victory.