It's down to six teams.
The Auckland Hearts have joined Northern Brave in the women's Elimination Final this Friday, while a narrow Stags defeat in Auckland has seen the Canterbury Kings through to play the Auckland Aces in the men's eliminator at Hagley.
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Defending Super Smash champion the Central Stags were knocked out of contention in a high-scoring thriller at Kennards Hire Community Oval, where the runs flowed despite frequent weather interruptions in a match reduced to 19 overs a side.
After their own power-packed first innings had reached 219/5, the Aces won in the last over by just eight runs - after a T20 career best 95 off 50 balls from Stags captain Tom Bruce went in vain.
The Stags’ valiant chase ended at 210/4 and the result meant the Canterbury Kings now proceeded to the Elimination Final on their home turf against the Aces: the winner of that match will meet Northern Brave in Saturday’s Grand Final.
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Boosted by an Izzy Gaze half century, Maddy Green’s Auckland Hearts also trumped Central on a crucial day at Kennards Hire Community Oval.
The Hinds saved their worst for last this summer with a flat performance that conceded the bonus point the Hearts had needed to stay alive.
The Hearts celebrated a special and aggressive win by eight wickets (DLS) and claimed the last place in the Elimination Final against Northern Brave women.
The winner of that match progresses to Saturday’s Women’s Grand Final against defending champions Wellington Blaze.
All matches live and free to air on TVNZ+ and Duke on NZ screens, and livescores at nzc.nz or on the NZC app. Sport Nation will also broadcast audio commentary of the Finals.
