Adams seals last-ball thriller

Andre Adams starred in a dream finish for Auckland with a last-ball six against Northern Districts at Seddon Park. Chasing 161, Auckland needed 12 off the last ball and a waist-high full toss by seamer Graeme Aldridge was despatched for four by Adams. It was signalled a no ball, adding two extra runs to the total. With an exact six required off the last ball, Adams sealed the deal with a straight hit over long-off, guiding his side home by four wickets.

Auckland got off to a steady start with opener Martin Guptill making 38. However, the home side pulled things back in the middle overs, reducing Auckland to 97 for 5, which subsequently put the brakes on the scoring. Rob Nicol and Keely Todd consolidated, adding 50 before Todd was dismissed in the final over. Adams, who was withdrawn from the New Zealand one-day squad in Australia, batted out the remaining deliveries and ended the game in dramatic style.

Earlier, opener Alun Evans top-scored with 55 for Northern Districts while Peter McGlashan contributed 44. Adams had a outing with the ball as well, picking up a wicket and conceding just 14 off his full quota of overs.

Heavy rain at Invercargill forced the abandonment of the match between Otago and Wellington after the toss.