Canterbury are set to host the one day cricket preliminary final after beating Central Districts by 56 runs in their penultimate match in New Plymouth.
Canterbury have 21 points, three ahead of Auckland who beat Otago by seven wickets.
Otago are third with 16 points, Northern have 14 after their 52-run loss to Wellington.
In the final round on Wednesday Canterbury host Otago, Northern play Central and Wellington play Auckland.
The top two qualifiers meet for a place in the final, while third and fourth meet in the sudden death match.
Meanwhile Canterbury beat Central by 27 runs to win the women's title.
