Injured Rance out for Stags

The Central Stags will be without experienced seamer Seth Rance when they face title favourites Canterbury in the penultimate round of the Plunket Shield cricket series starting in Nelson today.

Rance has been ruled out with a groin strain, suffered in last week’s draw with the Wellington Firebirds, and has been replaced by Hawke’s Bay’s Liam Dudding as the only change to the 12 who played in Napier.

It’s a significant blow for the Stags, given that they’re facing a pace-setting Canterbury side now with virtually one hand on the trophy with just two rounds left. Rance took six wickets against Wellington, including 4-61 in the first innings.

Canterbury currently lead the series with 93 points, nine clear of the Auckland Aces, with the Central Stags lodged at the foot of the points table on 45.

Of their eight matches, the Stags have suffered just one outright defeat although significantly, that was a 71-run second round loss to Canterbury at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

The Stags were left a 200-run target off 39 overs to beat Wellington in their eighth round clash in Napier but had reached 191-9 when the match ended, both sides having toyed with the notion of victory.

Conversely, Canterbury head to Saxton Oval fresh from a crushing innings and 119-run win over the Otago Volts, who sit just one point ahead of the Stags, as one of four outright victories achieved by the title favourites this season.

They also have plenty of players in form, with pace bowlers Logan van Beek and skipper Andy Ellis each collecting five-wicket bags against Otago.

Play is scheduled to start at Saxton Oval at 10.30am.