Opener Tim McIntosh provided the foundation and Gareth Hopkins the finishing panache as Auckland beat Canterbury by three wickets in a State Shield one-day cricket match at Christchurch today.
After losing their first four matches, Auckland have now won two on the trot after chasing down Canterbury's 223 for seven at QEII Park Village Green.
Michael Papps scored a patient century for the hosts but it wasn't enough as Auckland reached 226 for seven with 11 balls remaining.
Playing his first game of the competition, Tim McIntosh showed the worth of technically correct opener, scoring 71 off 104 balls to set up the run chase.
McIntosh, filling the boots of new one-day international opener Martin Guptill, saw a succession of partners depart before he was run out with 68 runs still need at nearly a run-a-ball.
However, wicketkeeper Hopkins was well established and steered Auckland home with an unbeaten 86 off 96 balls.
Canterbury were at their most bouyant in the field when seamer Carl Frauenstein, also playing his first game of the competition, took three wickets in the space of eight balls to reduce the visitors to 67 for three. He finished with three for 36 off seven overs.
Papps' 109 came off 147 balls but he struggled for long-term partners as Canterbury's innings struggled for energy.
Veteran Auckland seamer Daryl Tuffey provided the early brakes but new ball partner Chris Martin had the best figures, taking three for 39 off 10 overs.
NZPA
