Knights clinch semifinal berth

The Northern Knights are eyeing a double triumph over the Auckland Aces after clinching a semifinals spot in the domestic one-day cricket competition.

The Knights climbed into a tie for second spot on the table thanks to a win over the Central Stags in Whangarei on Saturday.

Coach Grant Bradburn said now that his side had achieved their initial aim of making the playoffs with two successive wins since the competition resumed last week, it was time to re-assess their goals.

"That number two spot is what we're after now," Bradburn said.

A win over Auckland in Whangarei tomorrow, combined with a Central defeat against the Otago Volts, would do the trick and give the Knights two lives heading into the playoffs.

"We want to play in the main semifinal against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park on Saturday," Bradburn said.

They helped their chances with a two-wicket win on Saturday as lower-order batsmen Graeme Aldridge and Bradley Scott got them home in what seemed to be a comfortable run chase midway through Northern's innings.

After restricting the visitors to 240 all out in their 50 overs at Cobham Oval, the Knights seemed to be cruising to victory as Kane Williamson (77) and Michael Parlane (45) added 106 in good time for the third wicket.

However, when Williamson was fourth man out at 182 in the 39th over, the Knights stumbled before Aldridge (10 off nine balls including a superbly struck straight six) and Scott (seven from as many deliveries) saw them home with three balls remaining.

"We were fortunate to have a couple of old hands at the crease at the end," Bradburn said.

"It's not the first time for either Graeme or Bradley to be in that sort of situation and they had cool heads and cool thinking.

"It should have been a lot easier but it was still very pleasing to get the win."

Bradburn said he was interested by the atmosphere in the winners' dressing room afterwards.

"There was some individual disappointment," Bradburn said. "A few guys realised they didn't finish the job and that there's a lot more in us. I think that's a good sign and shows where the guys are at.

"I told them they could take a lot of pride – Central are a very good side, a tough team to beat and one that's been on a roll and we should pat ourselves on the back for that."

Aldridge earlier shone with the ball, taking 3-40 off eight overs.

The Knights will be strengthened for tomorrow's clash by the addition of batsman Hamish Marshall to the squad.

Marshall made 58 for Northland on Saturday in their Fergus Hickey Rosebowl match against Counties-Manukau as part of a plan to get some batting practice since arriving in the country last week.

The English county professional comes into the side in place of wicketkeeper/batsman Peter McGlashan, who will be rested to recover from a thumb injury.

SCOREBOARD

Central Districts J How c McGlashan b Yovich23 G Worker run out34 B Patton run out20 M Sinclair b Aldridge62 T Weston c Devcich b Aldridge46 K Noema-Barnett c Watling b Yovich26 G Napier c Scott b Martin5 E Thompson not out6 B Griggs c Parlane b Scott5 S Rance b Aldridge0 M Mason run out1

Extras (4b, 2lb, 6w)12 Total (all out, 50 overs)240 Fall: 44, 77, 89, 179, 193, 208, 227, 236, 239, 240. Bowling: G Aldridge 8-0-40-3, B Scott 8-1-36-1, J Yovich 7-0-52-2 (1w), B Martin 10-0-47-1 (3w), K Williamson 10-0-32-0 (1w), A Devcich 7-0-27-0.

Northern Districts BJ Watling c Griggs b Rance33 A Devcich c Sinclair b Mason6 K Williamson c Sinclair b Rance77 M Parlane c Griggs b Thompson45 D Flynn c How b Napier20 J Marshall c Griggs b Napier26 P McGlashan c How b Napier3 J Yovich c Patton b Mason6 G Aldridge not out10 B Scott not out7

Extras (7lb, 1w)8 Total (for 8 wkts, 49.3 overs)241 Fall: 15, 48, 154, 182, 199, 205, 222, 224. Bowling: M Mason 10-2-40-2, G Napier 10-1-40-3, S Rance 10-1-53-2, E Thompson 10-0-44-1, K Noema-Barnett 3.3-0-23-0 (1w), G Worker 4-0-23-0, M Sinclair 2-0-11-0.

- © Fairfax NZ News