Central Districts will host Auckland in the final of the domestic Twenty20 championship after a drama-filled final round of matches today.
Central emerged happiest after booking their favoured Pukekura Park in New Plymouth for Sunday's final against an Auckland side who were on course to finish top of the standings but were beaten at the death by Otago in a tiebreaking bowl-off.
The result lifted defending champions Otago level with Auckland in second place but the Aucklanders advance on a superior net run rate.
In Hamilton, Ross Taylor continued a superb competition by whacking a six on the fourth-last ball to carry Central to a four-wicket defeat of Northern Districts in Hamilton.
Northern scored 148 for nine and for large chunks of a reduced chase it appeared as if it may be enough to carry the fourth-placed hosts into the final.
Needing an adjusted 95 off 12 overs after rain intervened early in Central's response, wickets fell regularly and it took Taylor's spectacular 28 from 12 balls to win the match.
His six over midwicket was followed by a delighted sprint around the ground, including a few terse words exchanged with some of the home supporters before Taylor was mobbed by his teammates.
Captain James Marshall top-scored with an unbeaten 59 for Northern off 42 balls while impressive Central Districts allrounder Graham Napier claimed three for 33.
Auckland controlled the majority of their match in Auckland, racing to imposing 171, boosted by 54 from Anaru Kitchen and 40 via Colin de Grandhomme.
Otago were 65 for five at the halfway point of their chase but a sizzling 61 off 35 balls from Nathan McCullum kept them in the contest and a straight four off the last ball by No 11 Nick Beard tied the scores.
Otago dominated the bowl-off, scoring 14 off Daryl Tuffey's over before restricting the hosts to eight off a tight over from Yasir Arafat.
In the day's third game, Wellington beat Canterbury by seven runs in Rangiora to round out disappointing campaigns from both teams.
Cameron Merchant's 57 was the key knock in Wellington's 162 for five and an unbeaten 45 off 33 balls to Dean Brownlie couldn't rescue the hosts, who reached 155 for seven and finished last in the competition with just two wins.
