According to a press release by New Zealand Cricket, the Canterbury Kings finally beat the Central Stags by four wickets in their third encounter this season to join the defending champions Wellington Firebirds for Dream 11 Super Smash Grand Final on Saturday at the Basin Reserve. Third qualifiers, the Kings had lost both their league games against the Stags but turned the tides around for the third time despite having lost the toss and Will Young scoring his first T20 hundred (101 off just 46 balls) which was studded with 10 sixes. The Kings rose to occasion when it mattered the most and finished the 2v3 Elimination Final in a thrilling last over drama. Chasing 181 for the win, Daryl Mitchell smashed an exhilarating 88 off just 58 balls and shifted the momentum on his side in a tricky chase. Mitchell shared a 132 run century stand for the 5th wicket with Cam Fletcher who scored a stunning 72 off 42. The Kings were down to six wickets as the scores levelled with two balls remaining in the innings, just after Fletcher’s dismissal in the final over. Bowler Doug Bracewell almost got a hand to catch the winning single from Matt Henry, but since all the luck was on the Kings cards they managed to sail into their first Grand Final since 2011/12.
