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The State Otago Volts will host the State Canterbury Wizards in an all-South Island Twenty20 final and a possible shot at cricketing riches in India.
Canterbury scraped into the final in Dunedin on March 1 with a splendid run chase to beat the State Central Stags and cap a dramatic final round of matches.
Otago beat the State Auckland Aces by 42 runs to finish as top qualifiers, having been beaten just once in eight rounds, while the Wizards finished level with the Aces in second place but advanced with a superior run rate.
The winners of the final could yet earn a place in this year's inaugural Champions League in India, an event that will carry millions of dollars in prizemoney.
Canterbury had the advantage of playing a later game today, knowing they needed to overhaul Central's 144 for six in 19.1 overs to head off Auckland.
They reached 145 for seven in 18.3 overs, with captain Kruger van Wyk playing the vital hand with 40 off 27 balls late in the chase.
Fellow-South African Johann Myburgh scored 36 and Michael Davidson took three for 22 for the jubilant Cantabrians, who went into the day facing a steep task to reach the final.
Central captain Mathew Sinclair struck a brilliant 85 not out and Michael Mason took four for 23 but they didn't get enough help from their teammates.
Earlier, Auckland did themselves no favours with a listless run chase that saw them crushed by Otago at Eden Park Outer Oval.
The visitors compiled 163 for eight, with captain Craig Cumming scorching to 76 off 46 balls.
Steven Croft reached 55 for Auckland but had no support and their run rate slowed noticeably later as they gave up on winning the game and tried to set Canterbury as stiff a task as possible.
In the other game, fourth-placed Wellington ensured one-day champions Northern Districts finished winless with a seven-wicket win in Mt Maunganui.
Northern were dismissed 110 in the 19th over, and Wellington skipper Stephen Fleming struck an unbeaten 46 as they coasted home with 21 balls to spare.
NZPA
Final information:
Date: Sunday 1 March
Time: 2.30pm (gates open 1.00pm)
Teams: State Otago Volts v State Canterbury Wizards
Location: University Oval, Dunedin
Ticket prices: Adults $15; Students $10; Child $5; Family $30
- Otago Cricket Office
- State Sales Centre, George Street
- Otago Daily Times regional and Dunedin offices
- Otago University Campus - from the ODT tent
