Auckland rode on a good show from the bowlers to etch a 13-run win against Wellington during the Super Smash fixture in Wellington on Friday. Chasing a target of 135 runs in 20 overs, Wellington were restricted to 121/8 in the innings.
The Wellington side had a struggling start as they lost early wickets and were reduced to 10/3 within the first three overs. They continued to lose wickets and eventually suffered a defeat.
Captain Michael Bracewell was the lone warrior as he notched up a fifty and remained unbeaten at 58 off 46.
Adithya Ashok was the pick of the bowlers after he returned with figures of 3/8 in 4 overs while Ben Lister also scalped three wickets for 27 runs in 4 overs. Apart from these two, Louis Delport impressed as well bagging two wickets for just 20 runs in his allotted 4 overs.
Earlier, Auckland batters, barring Chapman, struggled against the opposition. They lost an early wicket and were 4/1 when Worker and Chapman joined hands for a partnership of 57 runs for the second wicket.
But Worker’s departure for 23 off 25 broke the shackles and Auckland began to lose wickets at regular intervals and ended the innings at 134/9 in 20 overs. Chapman top-scored for them with a 48-ball 55.
Ben Sears picked up three wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs.
Auckland will now face Central Districts on Monday in Palmerston North while Wellington will be up against Otago in Queensland on Tuesday.