Firebirds want to raise bar

In a handy early season coincidence, first round winners Wellington and Otago open week two of the Plunket Shield.

The Firebirds had one of their most dominant victories in recent memory, by an innings and 205 runs over Auckland, and return to their beloved Basin Reserve on Monday.

New captain Rob Nicol’s Otago secured a seven-wicket victory over defending champions Canterbury.

In other matches, Central Districts and Auckland will try to chalk up their first wins in Nelson while Canterbury host Northern Districts who drew with the Stags in round one.

WELLINGTON v OTAGO at Basin Reserve, Wellington

It was very good from record-breakers Wellington but too bad to be true from Auckland who somehow were bowled out for 62 on the first morning last Monday.

The Basin pitch had a green tinge but played well, as evidenced by Michael Papps and Luke Woodcock’s record opening stand of 432, and Papps’ epic unbeaten 316 to add his name to the record books again.

Otago finished last in every format last season so their comfortable run chase against Canterbury was a big result for new skipper Nicol, whose side were boosted by key performances from their senior men.

Neil Wagner was his usual aggressive self and snared five wickets for the match while former test spinner Mark Craig’s return was notable for his second innings 4-87 to help skittle the hosts for 299.

Hamish Rutherford’s 90 helped polish off that chase for 239 and Otago’s batsmen should enjoy the Basin, too, against an attack led by Hamish Bennett who did a job on Auckland.

Both squads are unchanged.