The defending champions the Northern Knights have opened the domestic T20 competiton by beating the Wellington Firebirds by 26 runs in Hamilton.
The Northern Knights' Daniel Flynn Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Put into bat on Seddon Park, the Knights reached 157 with their Australian import Travis Birt top scoring with 44.
Dane Hutchinson was the best of Wellington's bowlers taking 4 for 36 from his 4 overs.
In reply, the Firebirds finished on 131 for 9 with import Brad Hodge (33) the best of their batsmen.
Northern's Anton Devcich took 3 for 19 off 3 overs.
The Auckland Aces also opened their season with a win on Seddon Park beating the Otago Volts by 2 runs.
The Aces won the toss and elected to bat with opener Martin Guptil (64) top scoring in Aucklands total of 167 for the loss of only 4 wickets.
The Volts opener Aaron Redmond hit 46 runs before Mitchell McClenaghan took a wicket with the last ball of the match to deny Otago.
The Volts finished on 165 for 8, with McClenaghan the best of Auckland's bowlers taking 3 for 29 off 4.
