State Shield 2007-08

Top-of-the-table Auckland take a tumble

Cricinfo staff

February 13, 2008

Hamish Bennett almost singlehandedly demolished the competition leaders Auckland, grabbing six wickets as Canterbury secured a three-wicket win at Eden Park Outer Oval. Bennett took 6 for 45 - his previous best in a one-dayer was three victims - and only half-centuries from Martin Guptill (51) and Rob Nicol (50) pushed Auckland to 178. Canterbury had some concerns of their own, wobbling at 10 for 2, but Shanan Stewart steadied the chase with 70 and they got there with nearly ten overs to spare.

A blistering half-century from Ewen Thompson drove Central Districts to a five-wicket win over Northern Districts in Palmerston North. An 83-run stand from Thompson and Tim Weston was just what the home side needed after falling to 146 for 5 in pursuing 229. Thompson hammered four sixes in his unbeaten 62, which came from 36 balls and was his highest one-day score, while Weston made a career-best 77 not out. It was a fine day all-round for Thompson, who collected three wickets as the Northern Districts batsmen struggled to go on with their starts. Only James Marshall (65) was threatening and the defeat left his team in last place on the table.

Stephen Fleming might have retired from ODIs - and probably soon from Tests as well - but he showed he still has plenty to offer in the limited-overs format with 93 as his team Wellington beat Otago by five wickets at the Basin Reserve. Grant Elliott had just as important a role, taking 5 for 34 in Otago's 238, while Neil Broom top scored with 62 and Warren McSkimming chipped in with 59 for the visitors. But Fleming's 96-ball effort guided Wellington into a winning position before he fell just short of a century, one of Bradley Scott's three victims.

© Cricinfo

Add to del.icio.us | digg this | Stumble It What's this? If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content on cricket, you may use these buttons. When you add them to any of these sites, you "social bookmark" them for others to find and rate. More on del.icio.us>> More on digg>> More on stumbleupon>> Close

Live scores, results, news, features and more - a click away Download the Cricinfo Toolbar Current Cricinfo fantasy games - SL v Ind, Eng v SA & County Cricket Login and check the standings Live scores from across the world on your mobile phone Cricinfo Mobile

Stories

Auckland top, first win for Canterbury

Players/Umpires

Hamish Bennett

Grant Elliott

Ewen Thompson

Timothy Weston

Series/Tournaments

State Shield

New Zealand Domestic Season

Teams

Auckland

Canterbury

Central Districts

New Zealand

Northern Districts

Otago

Wellington