Wellington hand Auckland narrow win

Wellington managed to mess up a chase they had under control for all but the last two overs, handing Auckland a two-run win at the Basin Reserve. Chasing 126 in a game shortened to 12 overs, Grant Elliott and Neal Parlane had put Wellington in charge. The duo smashed the Auckland bowling all around, adding 67 runs for the third wicket off 30 deliveries. At 108 for 2 with 14 balls left, the game was Wellington's to lose, and they somehow contrived to do so. Parlane was the first to depart, run out by Lou Vincent for 40 off 23 balls. In the next over, Colin Munro took two wickets in three balls, leaving Wellington seven to get off the last over. Elliott faced only one of those six balls, and watched helplessly as Luke Woodcock used up the remaining five to make three, leaving Wellington short.

Auckland's top four batsmen had earlier chipped in with vital contributions to take their side to 125 for 5, which proved just enough in the end. The narrow win keeps them on top of the points table, and comes after they won by a run against Canterbury two days ago.