Black Caps poised to go big for Canterbury
International batsmen well placed to set up fourth consecutive victory.
Canterbury have started the fourth round of the Plunket Shield in dominant fashion and Black Caps opener Tom Latham is poised for a big score when they resume their first innings against Otago in Alexandra today.
On day one against the Volts in the deep south, the competition leaders dismissed the hosts for 168, Nick Kelly their top scorer with 50 after winning the toss, while Canterbury bowlers Ed Nuttall and Fraser Sheat took three wickets apiece at Molyneux Park yesterday.
Canterbury are first in the standings after three consecutive wins and can take a giant step towards victory No 4 with a strong batting performance on day two. They trail by 72 after Latham and opening partner Ken McClure finished the first day on 45 and 43 respectively.
Latham is one of the best in the business at converting hundreds from this position and the left-hander can lead the charge when Canterbury try to wipe out Otago’s slim advantage and build their own, starting on 96-0.
He was absent from their last match, a resounding win against the Northern Districts by an innings and 32 runs, and another international returnee for Canterbury who will be poised with the bat is Black Cap Henry Nicholls, who is back after a calf injury at No 3.
The Black Caps return to international cricket in Twenty20s against the West Indies this month.
Meanwhile, the Auckland Aces, who started round four in second behind Canterbury, were bowled out for 279 after being put into bat by Wellington at the Basin Reserve.
Former Black Cap Mark Chapman smashed 95 from 125 balls but couldn’t reach his century as Auckland lost wickets at regular intervals. Firebirds seamer Ian McPeake was the best bowler with 4-53.
Fifties for Ben Horne, Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson propelled Auckland towards 300 in the capital but Wellington were batting before stumps, reaching 27-1 from eight overs, losing Black Cap Tom Blundell for two, removed by international teammate Jamieson.
Wellington will resume with a deficit of 252 runs and Rachin Ravindra (17) and Devon Conway (7) unbeaten at the crease.
Northern Districts were 223-6 at stumps after winning the toss and batting against the Central Stags at Nelson’s Saxton Oval.
Black Caps wicketkeeper/ batsman BJ Watling was their top scorer with 77. Their scoring rate was slow but Watling and Joe Carter ( 66) steered the visitors beyond 200.
Blair Tickner got the crucial wicket of Watling in the final session and resuming on day two will be the unbeaten pair of Brett Hampton (21) and Tim Southee (15).