CRICKET: Kuru back to earth after 12th man role | Hawkes Bay Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Hawkes Bay

Craig Findlay reckons Napier Technical Old Boys fast bowler Jeremy Kuru softened up Australia Mitchell Johnson in the nets in Napier last week.

"Jeremy just hurried him and Michael Johnson asked others to tell him not to bowl at him because he was too quick," Findlay told SportToday after Kuru found himself at Nelson Park last Wednesday afternoon before the Australians' lost to the Black Caps in their opening one-day international Chappell-Hadlee Trophy Series match at McLean Park the following day.

The Tech premier club player/stalwart felt Kuru hadn't bowled "that badly" for the Central Districts Stags in their drawn match against the Otago Volts in Invercargill before he was dropped against the Canterbury Wizards for their next Plunket Shield match in New Plymouth at the weekend.

"Jeremy doesn't know what his future hold for him in Hawke's Bay next year," he said of the fast bowler who claimed a wicket for 23 runs off seven overs, including a maiden on Saturday as Tech crushed Nfinite Gym Cornwall by 105 runs in the one-day competition.

A laughing Kuru played down the Johnson net affair, claiming he had "good fun" with Michael Hussey, Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin last Wednesday.

"It was just awesome to be the 12th man for the Black Caps, especially when we won that night," said Kuru, claiming he needed to fine-tune his bowling after slipping a little on delivery at the crease for the Stags.

With the four teams - Central Hawke's Bay, Craft and Hern Sports Havelock North, NTOB and Cornwall - for the play-offs already decided all that remains is for a final round this weekend to decide who will lock horns.

It seems the dilemma is who wants to face a rampant Tech in the semifinals.

However, the three other teams are adamant it hardly matters because they would have to play Tech at some stage to clinch the final.

Havelock North player Zane Hinton, whose side clinched a nailbiting one-wicket win over Napier Old Boys' Marist (NOBM) on the last ball at Cornwall Park on Saturday, epitomised the attitude. "We beat them [Tech] in the semifinals last year and we'll be playing them two times in a row if we play them in the semifinals this year," said Hinton who play Tech this Saturday in the final round to decide who will host the play-offs.

Tech skipper Ronnie Turner said if they beat the villagers and CHB stumble to Cornwall at Ongaonga Domain this Saturday then NTOB would ascend to the top of the table.

"If we finish first it'll be great because if it rains in the semifinals then the top two teams will play in the final," said Turner, who welcomed back Kuru aware any time a side had one of the fastest bowlers in the country then batsmen would find it hard against his blistering pace.

Findlay again top scored for 67 in Tech's 249-9, Turner added 32 and so did unbeaten No 10 Liam Rukuwai.

Cornwall bowler Jayden Waters claimed four wickets but Jake Smith was tidy, conceding 1.4 runs an over for two scalps from his 10 overs. Hawke's Bay representative Michael Taiaroa stepped in with 67 not out but Cornwall lacked quality batting in the form of former Wellington first-class player Phil Chandler. Seven batsmen failed to post double figures, including four ducks, as Cornwall were skittled for a paltry 144.

At Nelson Park, Taradale were out of the race but, according to Jamie Cotter, they made it a memorable club day with a 192-run victory over leaders CHB.

"It's only our second win this whole season. We have no chance of making the top four but we enjoyed it," said Cotter after Dale posted 290-4 as openers Rick Turner (81 runs) and Nigel Hill (35) laid the platform before Luke Wright scored 59 runs.

Wright then spearheaded the bowling attack with a five-wicket bag as an anaemic-looking CHB crumbled for 98 runs in 27 overs. Opener David Pimm scored 44 runs.

Kris Simmonds and Paul Tipps claimed two wickets each.

Tech skipper James de Terte, who will soon head back to Darwin for another spell there, said it was a complete performance from his troops.

"We've done one thing right one week and then not, another week. We've batted well and bowled poorly and then bowled well and batted poorly most of this season," said the Bay rep batsman who hopes to return next summer for another go at making the CD Stags.

"I've made a couple of hundreds [at Bay rep level]. It's disappointing not to make CD but it's up to them to select me." He sympathised with CHB, claiming the rain made it difficult for CHB to bat and gave his bowlers some assistance.