The irony is not lost on former Otago wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins that perhaps he played his best innings for his old team when he smashed 130 to help Auckland beat Central Districts last week.
Whether it comes back to bite him or not remains to be seen. Otago needed Auckland to beat Central Districts and win its last round-robin game against Northern Districts to progress to the State Shield semifinal.
The first leg of the double looked unlikely when the Aces were 18 for four chasing 255 for victory, but Hopkins played a remarkable innings of 130 off 123 balls to steer his side home and, it seems, has a foot in each camp.
‘‘I'd been in contact with a couple of the [Otago] boys before the game and said ‘don't worry about Auckland. Just make sure you win against ND','' Hopkins said.
‘‘I do admit beating CD for the boys down south was spurring me on. But when I went in at 18 for four it was looking tricky.''
Otago went on to beat Canterbury in the semifinal and will play Auckland in the final at Eden Park this Sunday. But the Volts have a debt of thanks to pay to Hopkins for his wonderful innings.
‘‘A few of the boys sent me a text and rang me after the game to say ‘well done'.''
Last season, Otago was the form team in the competition but fell at the last hurdle in a home final to Auckland. Last year's champion has dominated the one-dayers this summer and will go into the final as the favourite.
‘‘We've been playing some pretty good cricket but we've also played some pretty average cricket, but are still getting over the line.''
Auckland will be without all rounder Andre Adams and strike bowler Daryl Tuffey who will be playing in the Indian Cricket League, but the Aces should get Black Caps trio Scott Styris, Kyle Mills and Chris Martin back.
Injuries aside, Otago is likely to stick with the same XI that beat Canterbury by six wickets.
World-class wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum will be available, which is a major boost for the Volts.
McCullum whacked an undefeated 108 against Canterbury and has been in scintillating form.
