The Auckland Aces have booked the third spot in the Dream11 Super Smash finals with a six-wicket win over the Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve.

A brilliant fourth-wicket partnership of 132 between Craig Cachopa (66 off 43) and Mark Chapman (58* off 38) got the visitors out of an early hole to ensure they chased down the Firebirds' total of 165-7 with two overs to spare.

The win moved them into third on the ladder with 20 points. The Knights beat the Canterbury Kings soon after at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui, which eliminated the Kings from finals contention, booking the Aces’ spot.

The Aces join the Firebirds and the Otago Volts in the playoffs. The Aces will travel to play the Elimination Final on Friday. Just who their opponent is won’t be known until Tuesday night.

The Volts can book a home final - and avoid an Elimination Final against the Aces - if they beat the Kings at Hagley Oval on Tuesday.

If the Kings defeat the Volts, the Grand Final will be in Wellington next weekend.

Auckland's chase started poorly with Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Glenn Phillips all back in the hut and the score at 33-3.

But captain Cachopa and Chapman got the innings back on track and then prospered with a mammoth stand that was only broken with the scores level.

Earlier, Devon Conway again starred with the bat, scoring a classy 69 off 52 balls. Conway had good support from Rachin Ravindra (30 off 20) and Michael Bracewell (34 off 20).

Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the Auckland bowlers, taking 3-34 from his four overs. Chapman was also influential with the ball, returning 2-18 from his three.

Article added: Sunday 12 January 2020