Auckland gave Wellington an eight-wicket towelling, easily chasing down their target of 168 with 3.1 overs to spare, in tonight's Twenty20 match at Westpac Stadium.
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It was an average night for Wellington and among the many things they'll have to contemplate today is how they didn't get 200, having been inserted.
The two Michaels - Papps and Pollard - got them off to a rollicking start, going at excess of 10 an over early on. The Firebirds openers took advantage of some loose quick bowling, hitting the ball solidly square of the wicket.
But then it all turned to custard. Auckland spinners Ron Nicol and Tarun Nethula were extremely effective and the Firebirds, for all their experience, let the game drift and seemed devoid of methods to retake the initiative.
Pollard made 37, Papps 41 and then only Matt Taylor (26 from 10 balls) got going thereafter. James Franklin threatened to but spooned a catch to cover on 26 and at, 129-6 in the 18th over when Grant Elliott was dismissed, it looked as if the likely score of 200 would only be 140.
Taylor and Luke Woodcock (14 off 8) deserve credit for getting them to 167-7.
Auckland's early response included some filthy slogs. Import Luke Wright went in the first over, leaving Anaru Kitchen and Nicol to swipe away at everything.
Eventually the pair began to middle it and Auckland were going at 10 an over themselves. Wellington had stuck with their policy of not playing their two spinners - Jeetan Patel and Woodcock - together unless the pitch was a real turner, which was made made to look like folly.
The Firebirds' quicks were sliding on nicely, as opposed to Woodcock who, despite an expensive last over, still finished with figures of 4-0-25-1. You assume Patel would've been similarly effective.
Wellington, who aren't the youngest side in the competition, were also looking a little pedestrian in the field. It was all rather disappointing given a win tonight would've been quite a boost for the Firebirds in the race to the finals.
Auckland were lucky, especially early doors, but across the board it was not a great game of cricket from Wellington.
Nicol's all round contribution was very good, though, (1-26 and 71 from 43 balls) and helped put a bit of pressure on the Firebirds as they contemplate tomorrow's clash with Canterbury and then Sunday's game against Central Districts.