Auckland brush aside limp Central Districts

Auckland reaffirmed their position at the top of the HRV Cup table with a seven-wicket hammering of Central Districts, with 27 balls to spare at the Colin Maiden Park. The win means Auckland have now won six of their eight games, two more than their nearest competitors, Canterbury. With only two wins in eight games, CD are languishing in the middle of the table.

CD's decision to bat in a rain-reduced fixture ran into early strife, when they lost four of their most experienced batsmen - Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Kieran Noema-Barnett and Mathew Sinclair in a three-over phase to slump to 29 for 4. Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor attempted a recovery, but once Oram succumbed to Ronnie Hira in the ninth over, there was no looking back for Auckland. Taylor was the only batsman to cross 20 as his side succumbed to 90 for 9 in their 15 overs.

Anaru Kitchen then powered Auckland to the target with plenty to spare, hitting three sixes and two fours in 34 off 22 balls. His effort backed up a strong opening stand from Azhar Mahmood and Martin Guptill that yielded 37 in 4.2 overs to put Auckland on course for the win.