'Barnes-storming' innings sees Auckland home

Auckland go to the top of the State Shield table with a four-wicket victory over Northern Districts that seemed against the odds when ND were 133 for two, when rain threatened to end the game and when more than seven an over were needed with eight overs to go.

Victory was achieved thanks to a bludgeoned 30 from 16 balls from Aaron Barnes. It was the second time in as many games that the Auckland beneficiary has settled a close game in the final stages. He did so with 57 not out against Wellington at North Harbour Stadium last Wednesday.

Barnes arrived at the crease with 50 needed from seven overs. He began by drilling a ball straight back at Ian Butler, who took rapid avoiding action. Twenty came from Joseph Yovich's next over, including two sixes. Another followed off Scott Styris. Barnes was caught on the boundary by Styris off Butler having taken Auckland to the brink of victory.

Despite the loss of two more wickets, Auckland's win was inevitable.

Put in by Brooke Walker, the story of the ND innings was a familiar one of middle-order collapse, though with the mitigating circumstances of four rain interruptions.

After the early loss of Michael Parlane, bowled for one by a ball from Heath Davis that kept low, the top order built a solid foundation. James and Hamish Marshall put on 42 for the second wicket, then Hamish Marshall partnered Styris in an 84-run stand for the third wicket.

Styris was bowled by Tama Canning from the last ball before the fourth, and longest, rain break. At 133 for three from 33 overs, ND were well-placed, but the loss of Matthew Hart first ball and Hamish Marshall for 52 meant that three wickets had been lost for four runs.

Robbie Hart and Yovich patiently rebuilt the innings with a stand of 53 for the sixth wicket before wickets fell quickly at the end of the innings to leave ND with a final total of 202 for nine after 47 overs.

Canning and Kyle Mills were the pick of the Auckland attack with three for 22 and three for 21 respectively. Both made good use of a pitch that offered movement with the bonus of sharp lift from the Members' End. From the City End, the odd ball kept dangerously low.

Auckland began their reply with the preservation of wickets the first priority, so as to minimise the target in the event of an early finish. Llorne Howell was fortunate to survive Butler's first ball. Beaten by raw pace, he offered a chance that would have been swallowed by Parlane at square leg had an initial misjudgment not drawn the fielder in.

Matt Horne retired hurt with an arm injury before he had scored, but this would not affect the calculations.

With Tim McIntosh, Howell guided Auckland to 56 before he was caught at first slip by Matthew Hart off Styris at the second attempt.

A heavy shower almost finished the game, but with both teams anxious to grab winning points play resumed with Auckland chasing a target of 155.

At first Auckland found it difficult to rediscover their momentum. The required rate climbed to more than seven an over, though Lou Vincent was as busy as ever.

Then Barnes arrived like a gunslinger from the Old West to give Auckland a third successive State Shield victory.

Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell identified the preservation of early wickets as an important factor.

"The key was that we were only one down when we got the revised target. With wickets in hand and a couple of boys that hit pretty well we always stood a chance," he said.

He felt that his team did well to get back into the game after a good start by ND.

"We didn't bowl as well as we could have early on. Heath Davis was injured with a hamstring twinge, so had to bowl his overs straight through. Canning did very well to pull them back in the middle of the innings," he said.

Auckland's winning run is well-timed. "Once you have won a couple of close ones you get into good habits and get used to winning."

O'Donnell put a positive gloss on the absence of Andre Adams from their line-up.

"We get him back for the next game, but we don't have the New Zealand players for the semi-final or final anyway, so we have to adjust to that," he told CricInfo.

Northern Districts travel to Napier to face Central Districts in the last round. A win could still send them through to the knock-out phase, but they will be dependent on other results.

Neither are Auckland home and hosed. They face a difficult trip to Jade Stadium to face Canterbury on Sunday, a challenge Mark O'Donnell relishes.

"It's fantastic," he said. "It is a great opportunity to see how we will go against all their New Zealand players."