Hitchcock Hits Auckland to Thrilling Last Ball Win

State Auckland Aces all rounder Paul Hitchcock guided Auckland to a thrilling three wicket win against the State Otago Volts at Eden Park Outer Oval.

Auckland were set 257 after putting Otago into bat and managed to reach the total when Hitchcock hit a six off the last ball, taking their score to 263.

The Otago total was largely thanks to to a blistering 75 from 51 balls by English professional Dimitri Mascarenhas.  Mascarenhas cleared the fence six times in his whirlwind innings, five coming off one Darly Tuffey over.

Captain Craig Cumming was in good touch again, hitting 41 and moving up one place to third on the overall State MVP batting list.

Auckland fast bowler, Chris Martin contained and took wickets to finish with four for 33 off 8.5 overs.

The Aces started solidly with opener Martin Guptill getting 58 and captain Richard Jones getting 54.

Steven Croft struck an aggressive 42 off 31 balls down the order but it was the big hitting Paul Hitchcock who carried his team home.  Hitchcock was 46 not out off 39 balls.

Otago’s Neil Wagner, now second in the State MVP bowling this season, took three for 54, while former Blackcap Ian Butler was economical taking two for 37.

It is the State Auckland Aces first win of the year but not enough to lift them off the bottom of the table. The State Otago Volts hold a slim one point advantage over Canterbury to occupy third.