Shannan Stewart lashed his fourth One-Day century to power the Canterbury Wizards to a five wicket win over the Wellington Firebirds at QEII in Christchurch.
Set a target of 300, the Wizards lost Michael Papps and Peter Fulton in quick succession but recovered with a 75 run partnership between Rob Nicol (69 off 67) and Johannes Myburgh (29 off 45).
Stewart then came to the crease with over two hundred required in less than 30 overs and produced the goods, smashing 101 off 78 balls with 10 fours and two sixes and fell with only nine required for victory.
The centurion shared a match winning 169 run partnership for the fifth wicket with Dean Brownlie who contributed a superb unbeaten 86 off 73 deliveries as the Wizards snuck home with two balls to spare.
Earlier, openers Michael Pollard (53 off 42) and Stewart Rhodes (50 off 36) got the Firebirds off to a flyer, adding 96 for the first wicket.
Wizards seamer Carl Frauenstein removed the pair and kept the batsmen in check during the middle stages, returning impressive figures of three for 44.
Two more Wellington batsmen hit half centuries with Neal Parlane stoking 57 off 78 balls in the middle period before Luke Woodcock struck a rapid 53 off just 29 at the end.
The Canterbury Wizards finish the round robin stages in third place and will host the Central Stags in the preliminary final on Saturday.
BLACKCAPS signing session
When: Wednesday 10 February
Where: Victoria Square, Christchurch
Time: 3.30 to 4.30
