Two wins the aim for Central and Auckland after Hastings washout

Any part of the cricketing world faced with a water shortage has an easy solution to its problems. Invite Central Districts to play and a deluge will surely follow.

Persistent rain that began shortly before the captains were due to led to the inevitable abandonment of today's game between Central and Auckland. Of eight scheduled Shell Cup matches for Central this season, four have been abandoned without a ball being bowled.

With two rounds to play, Auckland and Central both have eight points, including one each for today's no result.

Auckland will be more satisfied with the point than Central. They have more wins and a better net run rate, the criteria used to separate teams with equal points. The schedule is kinder too, giving the Aucklanders two home matches to finish the league phase, the first of which is the return game against Central on Tuesday.

Central then face a long journey to Invercargill, at the bottom of the South Island, to complete the league phase. Their net run rate is currently the worst of all six teams, so they will need to win both games to be reasonably certain of qualifying for the playoffs between the top three.

The coaches of both teams agree that their fate is in their hands. Central's Dipak Patel is clear about what his players need to do.

"Four points from two games will get us through to the playoffs. If it comes down to run rate we won't make it."

Central go into these contests without Michael Mason. The pace bowler dislocated his ankle going for a return catch against Canterbury last Friday. Patel is clear about the magnitude of the loss, both personally and for the team.

"It's a huge blow from Michael's point of view. He has been one of the best bowlers in the country in first-class cricket this season. The New Zealand selectors must have been seriously considering him for the Tests against Pakistan. From our point of view, we have lost our main strike bowler."

Today's venue is one of eight grounds that are home to Central in either the Trophy or the Cup. Does Patel think that this nomadic existence is a disadvantage to his team?

"From the cricketing point of view we would like to play a lot more at McLean Park, Napier. However, CD covers a vast area, that's its nature. We've put up with it for a long time and will probably go on doing so."

Patel was phlegmatic about the long trip south for round ten of the competition.

"We'll go anywhere as long as it doesn't rain!"

Central hope that Gareth West, who would have missed today's game with a stomach upset, will be fit to return for round nine.

Auckland coach Tony Sail also knows that two wins are necessary to ensure his team's progress in the competition.

"We got ourselves in this position, we have it in our control to get through. Consistency is the key. On our day we are the best team in the country. At other times we look one of the worst. All the batsmen have got runs at some time."

The Auckland top order has been a concern in the Shell Cup.

"We have not passed 45 in the first 15 overs all season. We have played on some difficult pitches, but that is no excuse. You have to get runs on the board. Scores of 240, 250 plus are necessary. Drum and Haslam both bowled well against Wellington, but a score of 157 was impossible to defend.

"We have to be more positive, have more belief in ourselves. The return of the internationals has helped in this respect."

Sail does not anticipate major changes for the remaining games.

"Aaron Barnes made 95 in club cricket yesterday. He is a valuable one-day asset and we will look at his fitness, but he still can't bowl."

The game between these teams on the Eden Park Outer Oval on Tuesday appears to be a virtual knockout contest.

The league winners go straight through to the best-of-three finals, while second will be at home to third in a sudden death semi-final.