Michael Parlane is on 22 and David Kelly is on 19.

Earlier Nick Horsley had been needlessly run out by James Franklin for 21 (off 41 balls) in the sixteenth over.

Northern were now 56 for 3. If they lose this game, Horsley will want to hide. He was run out jogging for an easy single. Franklin, fielding at mid off threw down the stumps at the bowlers end and Horsley was out of his ground.

Northern was cruising. Now they were in a spot of trouble as Mark Gillespie, the double wicket taker to date, bowled the 17th over.

And with two new batsmen, Michael Parlane and David Kelly, at the crease they still had a fair bit of work to do.

Both batsmen were watchful for a few overs before Kelly raced to 10 with a swat through square leg for four.

After 21 overs they were 71 for 3. They needed a further 67 runs from 29 overs.

James Franklin was brought to the bowling crease in the 22nd over.

Ash Turner was brought back in the 23rd over from the northern end. Wellington were still very much on attack, fielding 3 slips.

But Kelly and Parlane got a partnership going. After 25 overs Northern were 88 for 3. Parlane was on 12 and Kelly was on 14. Northern only needed a further 50 for victory.

Parlane struck the first 6 of the match in the 27th over. He cleanly clobbered Franklin over extra cover Wellington were running out of runs to play with.

Mark Jefferson came into the crease to replace Turner (8 overs, 1 maiden 24 runs) from the northern end in the 29th over and the Northern 100 was duly posted.

They need a further 86 for victory in 35 overs.

Nick Horsley is on 17 and Michael Parlane has yet to score.

Mark Gillespie has taken the two wickets.

Defending 137, Wellington had come out needing wickets. Someone had to step up to the bowling crease and rip through the Northern batting.

Needing only 138 for victory at a run rate of 2.76 per over and the promise of a State Shield final showdown with the Auckland Aces on Saturday, Northern could afford to take their time.

Carrying on from his 5 for 12 in the previous game against Otago, Ash Turner started off with excellent rhythm, as did Paul Hitchcock, who was also generating good pace.

James Marshall got the innings away with a pleasant on drive for four in the fourth over, bowled by Turner. Then his partner, Nick Horsley off drove Hitchcock for four in the following over.

After 5 overs, Northern was 11 without loss.

Marshall was keen to catch the early flight home as he then proceeded to go after the bowlers. He quickly raced to 17 and his team moved to 22 after 7 overs.

After 10 overs they were 30 without loss.

Mark Gillespie replaced Hitchcock (5 overs, 1 maiden , 15 runs) from the northern end in the 11th over.

But success for Wellington was still wanting as Marshall survived the first 5 balls, then slapped the sixth to the point boundary.

Matthew Walker replaced Turner (5 overs, 1 maiden, 15 runs) in the 12th over. But the two batsmen safely negotiated it. 36/0 after 12 overs.

Gillespie got the breakthrough in the 13th over. 40/1. Marshall was LBW for 32 (off 46 balls).The ball jagged back in to Marshall and he was plum.

But that didn’t deter Horsley, who assumed the mantle of command for the Knights. He picked Walker up over mid on for 4 in the next over.

The 50 came up next ball as Horsley went to 17.

Northern now only needed 88 runs to win in 36 overs.

But then Gillespie had Hamish Marshall out, caughht at the wicket for 3. Marshall played a poor shot that got his edge and Nevin accepted the easy catch. 52/2 in the fifteenth over.

Wellington have been bowled out for a paltry 136 in the 47th over, to complete a woeful batting display.

Not to take away anything from the Northern fielding effort though, which was exemplary. Their bowling was tight and demanding throughout and their fielding was excellent.

Previously, the Wellington 100 (for 6 wickets) had come up in the 32nd over.

The stage had been set for James Franklin (17*) to unleash his potential and make his mark on the game.

However, the wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Mark Jefferson was out for a duck. He was caught behind, fending off a vicious delivery from Ian Butler. Wellington was now 101 for 7 in the 34th over.

Wellington was in dire, dire trouble.

Butler had now bowled 8 overs, 2 maidens, 3 wickets for 14. Butler was bowling with genuine pace and plenty of venom.

At the other end, Bruce Martin (6 overs, 1 maiden, 2 for 14) was operating with as much guile as he had displayed in his earlier spell.

Despite this bowling onslaught, Franklin continued to bat well. He moved to 21 in the 34th over.

After 36 overs Wellington were 110 for 7.

Northern captain Robbie Hart was doing a credible job moving his bowlers around. He brought Graeme Aldridge back from the southern end in the 37th over.

After 38 overs Wellington were 112 for 7. Franklin was on 23 and Paul Hitchcock was on 4.

Then Hitchcock holed out to Joseph Yovich at long leg off the bowling of Aldridge. He made 4. 114/8 in the 39th over.

Martin finished his spell. He bowled 10 overs, 1 maiden, 2 wickets for 22.

It was really only a case of survival and occupation now for the hapless Firebirds.

After 43 overs they had crawled to 120 for 8. The only bright spot was Franklin, who was on 27, albeit off 72 balls. But at least he was able to display a semblance of dedication and fight.

Mark Gillespie then showed some fight with the willow. He was able to work the ball around moved into double figures.

Mark Orchard finished his 10 overs. (2 for 32).

After 46 overs, Wellington was 136 for 8.

Then Franklin was run out at the bowlers end going for a second run. Hamish Marshall effected a sharp piece of outfield work from long off. 136 for 9.

Franklin made 34 from 82 balls.

Then Gillespie holed out to mid wicket and was well caught for 12 the very next ball.

Only Richard Jones (37) has caused Northern any trouble at the crease.

The wickets have been shared around, but Bruce Martin (5 overs, 2 for 11) has caused the most problems.

After a handy partnership of 48 for the second wicket between Chris Nevin (24) and Richard Jones (21*) that had been threatening to become dangerous for Northern, Neal Parlane joined Jones to consolidate the innings.

But Parlane was brilliantly stumped by Robbie Hart off the bowling of Martin for 4. 67 for 3 in the 20th over. Parlane came down the wicket, Martin followed him and Hart stumped him down the leg side.

Grant Donaldson came to the crease to join Jones who was well set on 27.

Donaldson didn’t last long though as he guided an Orchard delivery to James Marshall at first slip. He made 3 runs and Wellington were now in a spot of bother at 70 for 4 in the 21st over as James Franklin entered the fray.

Martin was bowling well. He was prepared to toss the ball up and invite the batsmen to come forward. Consequently, another stumping wouldn’t have been surprising.

After 24 overs the score had limped to 76 for 4. Martin had bowled 5 overs, 1 maiden, two for 11.

Jones continued to prosper. He moved to 37 with a boundary down the ground off Orchard.

Martin was put back in the stable and Aldridge was brought back on from the northern end in the 26th over.

The Knights were on the charge in the next over though when Orchard removed Jones, LBW for 37 (off 73 balls). Jones was caught going back to a ball that nipped back off the seam.

Wellington was now teetering at 83 for 5 in the 27th over. However, this has become a familiar position for the Firebirds this season and the stage was set for Franklin (3*) and new batsmen, Matthew Walker to resurrect the fledgling innings.

Franklin got in and moved to 13 within the next couple of overs with two well struck fours through mid wicket and mid off.

Then Walker was dismissed in the 31st over for 4, caught behind off the bowling of Ian Butler, reintroduced from the southern end. Wellington were now 97 for 6 and in danger of failing to bat out their overs.

Richard Jones is on 21 from 45 balls and Neal Parlane has yet to score.

Earlier, in beautiful conditions, the Wellington top order would have been committed to get their innings off to a solid start after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

The Northern opening bowlers, Ian Butler and Joseph Yovich struggled for line early on, conceding several wides in the opening three overs.

But Butler would have been forgiven when he removed Bell, LBW in the third over for a duck. Bell was caught on the crease to a ball that seamed back. 7/1.

Richard Jones came to the crease and was immediately under fire as Butler sent down a couple of quick, moving balls.

Nevin got Wellington’s innings underway with sensational cut for four off the last ball of the fifth over, bowled by Butler. After 5 overs Wellington were 12 for 1, including 6 sundries.

Butler and Yovich were bowling with aggression. Both bowlers were getting some fearsome lift at times, which ensured a watchful period from the batsmen. After 9 overs, Wellington were 25 for 1.

Graeme Aldridge replaced Joseph Yovich (4 overs for 12 runs) from the northern end in the 10th over and 9 runs were taken from it. Yovich then resumed his spell from the southern end, with the breeze. Butler’s opening 5 overs realised 1 wicket for 12 runs.

After 11 overs, the score had climbed to 38 for 1, with a run rate of 3.45. Nevin was on 19 and Jones was on 12. Both batsmen were starting to show an inclination to up the ante while the fielding restrictions were still in place.

Jones then survived a confident caught behind appeal in the 13th over bowled by Yovich. An over that also included three wides.

The Wellington 50 was posted in the 14th over when Jones confidently drove Aldridge for successive boundaries. 54/1 after 14 overs.

The medium pace of Mark Orchard was introduced from the southern end in the 15th over

Then Bruce Martin, out of the Northern left arm spin factory, was introduced in the 16th over and he had instant success by holding a difficult caught and bowled chance to remove Nevin for 24 (off 35 balls). Wellington were now 55 for 2.

There is a gentle southerly breeze and the pitch looks conducive to an entertaining encounter between these two teams, who will both be desperate for victory and for the chance to meet Auckland in the final on Saturday.

Both Wellington and Northern Districts have arrived at the semi-final courtesy of comfortable round 10 victories against Otago and Central Districts respectively.

Wellington captain Matthew Bell has won the toss and elected to bat first.

Both teams are missing their Black Cap stars, who have already departed for their world cup odyssey in South Africa. On paper these absences should affect Northern more than Wellington.

Northern are missing Scott Styris, Daniel Vettori and Daryl Tuffey, while Wellington’s sole Black Cap is Stephen Fleming and Fleming didn’t play in the Otago match.

On form Wellington’s strength is its bowling attack led by Ash Turner, Matthew Walker and James Franklin. Meanwhile, Northern has a surplus of strong allrounders, such as Joseph Yovich who are capable of turning a match with either bat or ball.

However, Matthew Hart is out injured with a groin injury.

The teams are as follows,

Wellington: Matthew Bell (captain), Chris Nevin, Richard Jones, Neal Parlane, Grant Donaldson, Matthew Walker, Mark Jefferson, James Franklin, Paul Hitchcock, Mark Gillespie, Ash Turner, Mayu Pasupati (twelfth man)

Northern Districts: Robbie Hart (captain), James Marshall, Nick Horsley, Hamish Marshall, Michael Parlane, Mark Orchard, David Kelly, Joseph Yovich, Bruce Martin, Graeme Aldridge, Ian Butler, Gareth west (twelfth man).

The umpires are Tony Hill and Brent Bowden. The third umpire is Doug Cowie.