Canterbury batsmen keep hopes alive

Canterbury rode on powerful performances from their middle order to post 201 for 6 and beat Auckland by 21 runs at the Hagley Oval. The win kept Canterbury alive in the HRV Cup. Peter Fulton was their top-scorer with 48 off 31 balls, while Brendon Diamanti was the most explosive batsman, smacking 25 off 10 deliveries at the finish. James Fuller and Colin de Grandhomme were the only Auckland bowlers to concede fewer than 10 runs an over. Auckland's chase had a fast start with Anaru Kitchen making 44, and after a clutch of wickets fell, de Grandhomme launched his attack. Auckland had progressed to 120 for 3 in the 13th over and were on course when Kitchen was dismissed. De Grandhomme fell shortly after, for 65 off 33 balls, and the chase fizzled out. Canterbury seamer Andrew Ellis, who had contributed 23 off 15 balls with the bat, took 3 for 28.

Otago's top order complemented the restrictive work of their bowlers to secure a seven-wicket victory against Central Districts at Pukekura Park. After losing the toss, Otago's attack struck frequent blows and controlled the run rate to reduce Central Districts to 28 for 4 in the seventh over. Kieran Noema-Barnett propped up the innings with 52 and Doug Bracewell contributed 35 off 20, but they were the only batsmen to make it past 20. Jacob Duffy took 3 for 29 for Otago, while James McMillian and Jimmy Neesham took two each to keep Central Districts to 147 for 9. Otago lost Neil Broom early in the chase but Aaron Redmond made 32 off 18 balls and Ryan ten Doeschate scored an unbeaten 50 off 32 to seal victory with 15 deliveries to spare.