Nicol 61 seals Canterbury victory
A round-up of the HRV Cup matches played on January 12, 2014
ESPNcricinfo staff
12-Jan-2014
Rob Nicol's 61 helped Canterbury to a five-wicket victory over Northern Districts in Christchurch, solidifying both side's position at the second and third spot on the table, thereby entering them into the preliminary final on January 17. Northern Districts batted first, with Anton Devcich and Brad Wilson adding 86 runs for the second wicket. Wilson fell for 40 off 24 balls in the 15th over, and once Devcich went out after a run-a-ball 57, the momentum began to taper off as Northern Districts reached 156 for 6.
Canterbury's reply started well enough, with George Worker and Nicol putting on 64 for the opening stand. Worker and No.3 Dean Brownlie fell in quick succession, bringing Peter Fulton to the crease. Together with Nicol, the pair continued to keep Canterbury on course. Fulton slammed three sixes in one over of Ish Sodhi to make his presence known, but could not sustain the big-hitting, as he fell to Trent Boult in the 14th over, but not before compiling 30 off 17. Although Nicol fell in the 16th over, the opener had done enough to ensure Canterbury were cruising to victory, with Brendon Diamanti and Andrew Ellis at the crease to seal the victory with six balls to spare.
The match between Otago and Central Districts was abandoned without a ball bowled due to heavy rain. Each team received two points, with Otago securing their position at the top of the table, and thereby their place in the final on January 18. Who they play will be determined by the outcome of the preliminary final on January 17 between Canterbury and Northern Districts.