Firebirds flying high with hat-trick of outright victories

Logan van Beek is fast turning into the find of the off-season for the Wellington Firebirds.

The right-arm seamer moved to the capital after seven years at Canterbury and impressed again as Plunket Shield leaders Wellington made it three victories from three.

He captured match figures of 10-117 and took 6-57 in the second innings as Wellington triumphed over Northern Districts by 82 runs in Hamilton.

Twelve wickets in the match from Black Caps quick Lockie Ferguson were pivotal as Auckland posted their first win of the competition, toppling Otago by 135 runs.

Central Districts completed an innings and 86 run rout of defending champions Canterbury at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval in a match they dominated from the start.

ND v WELLINGTON

Wellington find themselves in an unfamiliar position in the Plunket Shield after three rounds - top of the table. The Firebirds, who haven’t won the four-day title since 2003-04, continued their bright start to the season with a strong bowling effort on the final day.

Northern Districts would have fancied their chances, beginning day four at 112-3 in pursuit of 290, but had few answers to Logan van Beek, who starred with 6-57 in the second innings and 10 for the match.

They were dismissed for 207 with Dean Brownlie the only batsman to get past 50, keeping ND winless through three games.

Experienced duo, paceman Hamish Bennett and offspinner Jeetan Patel, chimed in with two wickets apiece in the second

innings to assist van Beek.

AUCKLAND v OTAGO

Lockie Ferguson sent out a message to the Black Caps selectors with a match-winning performance in Auckland’s first win of the season.

Ferguson, soldering on with a fractured right thumb, which he grips the ball with, took careerbest figures of 12-78 for the match, to lead the Aces to a much-needed win. He demonstrated his capabilities with seven wickets in the first innings, backed up with another five in the second dig as Auckland ran out comfortable 135-run victors over Otago.

CANTERBURY v CD

Central Districts put together an emphatic showing to outclass Canterbury in virtually every session and win by an innings and 86 runs.

It was a miserable performance from Canterbury, who are down on bowling firepower with injury, but were never in the contest after CD amassed 498-7 declared in the first innings.

CD would have been delighted with their accuracy with the ball and the fact the wickets were spread around.

Seth Rance continues to show his worth, nabbing five in the first innings.

CD openers Greg Hay (140) and George Worker (111) were integral in setting up victory, putting on 188 for the first wicket on day one.

In-form Jesse Ryder was in the runs again, after twin centuries in the last round, contributing a runa-ball 89.