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The Auckland Aces welcomed the return of batting star Martin Guptill as he decimated the Canterbury Wizards attack to set up a five wicket win at QEII Park in Christchurch.
Guptill blasted 20 boundaries and one six in an incredible knock of 156 off 137 as the Aces comfortably chased down 282 with over five overs to spare. It is Guptill’s fifth and highest One-Day score.
Scott Styris also starred with the bat hitting a lightening fast 46 off 27 with Ravi Bopara contributing 35 and Richard Jones 26.
Canterbury quick Chris Martin returned the respectable figures of two for 49 including two maidens but the other bowlers weren’t so fortunate.
Earlier, the Wizards batsman made a challenging 282, largely thanks to Johannes Myburgh’s maiden One-Day century. Myburgh hit 112 with Craig McMillan next best with 57.
Canterbury looked to be on target for a much higher total but a late collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for 37 runs.
Michael Bates was the best of the Aces attack with two for 55 with Singh the most economical with one for 35.
| Place | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auckland | 5 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 0.653 |
| 2 | Central | 5 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 0.156 |
| 3 | Canterbury | 4 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0.696 |
| 4 | Wellington | 5 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -0.508 |
| 5 | Northern | 5 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -0.665 |
| 6 | Otago | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -0.713 |
