Wellington prevail in high-scoring contest

Wellington outclassed Auckland in a high-scoring HRV Cup match in Auckland during which 27 sixes were hit - the most for a T20 match in the country. Chasing a daunting 201, Wellington's innings was set in motion by an explosive start from opener Travis Birt, who smashed five sixes in his 17-ball 41.

The onslaught continued after his dismissal as James Franklin and Grant Elliot added rapid thirties, but it was Michael Papps who remained solid at one end and went on to score his second fifty in the tournament this year. He took 41 balls for his 58 and was unbeaten when Wellington achieved the target with four balls to spare.

Auckland had been give a similar start with Anaru Kitchen hitting a 29-ball 43, laced with four sixes, but three quick wickets slowed the innings down a touch. However, Colin Munro raised the tempo with an unbeaten 53 off 23 deliveries as Auckland finished strongly on 200 after being 72 for 3 in 9.5 overs. Munro received useful support, first from Craig Cachopa (43), and then from Colin de Grandhomme, who smashed three sixes and two fours in a rapid 11-ball 30.

However, it didn't prove to be enough as Wellington bounced back from their <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/hrv-cup-2013-14/engine/match/665657.html" target="_blank">one-run loss to Auckland last week.