Canterbury fall short after fighting chase

Auckland 197 for 7 (Hopkins 64, Grandhomme 60) beat Canterbury 189 for 6 (Worker 68, Brownlie 48, Adams 4-20) by eight runs
Scorecard

After a strong chase of 198 from Canterbury's top order, an effective last over from Andre Adams sealed an eight-run victory for Auckland at Eden Park. Needing 13 to win off the last five deliveries, Canterbury were able to score just four, as four wickets fell in the over. They had played responsibly till then - opener George Worker scored 68 off 53 deliveries, and No. 3 Dean Brownlie, who fell in the last over, scored 48. Towards the end Brendon Diamanti's 29 off 16 balls helped keep Canterbury in the hunt, until the last over.

The intimidating target was set thanks to a strong batting performance from Auckland, led by captain and wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins' knock of 64 and middle-order batsman Colin de Gradhomme's 60. The innings, after a shaky start at 17 for 2, was built on three partnerships - all at more than 9.50 runs per over - and at the culmination of the third stand, Auckland were a strong 168 for 5 in the 17th over. But then key wickets fell, and they fell short of reaching 200.

Canterbury, on the other hand, got off to a commanding start, with their openers Bradley Cachopa and Worker scoring 47 in 5.1 overs together. One hundred and seventy runs were scored by the top four, yet Canterbury fell short of the target.

This is their third consecutive loss in the HRV Cup. Their opponents, with their second consecutive win, stand third in the points table.