Nethula reigns in one-day finale

Thanks to social media, Tarun Nethula swaggered onto Pukekura Park on Saturday with winning memories from six years earlier.

The 34-year-old legspinner – one of the forgotten men of New Zealand cricket – ensured the New Plymouth ground would remain one of his favourites as he won a second Ford Trophy one-day final there: this time with the visiting Auckland Aces.

Not only won it, but played a vital role, snaring 2-24 off 10 overs including a remarkable three maidens on a park with New Zealand’s smallest boundaries.

Helped by returning Black Caps Lockie Ferguson (3-28) and Mark Chapman (3-41), the Aces skittled the Central Stags for 197, winning by six wickets with more than 17 overs left.

‘‘Six years ago I was part of the CD side with Michael Mason and his heroics, and to come back here and play in a final at Puke Park against my old mates, to come out on the right side of the ledger, I was absolutely stoked,’’ Nethula said.

He was reminded via Facebook memories on February 12 that it was the six-year anniversary of that 2012 final, when Mason clouted 41 not out at No 10 to help the Stags topple Auckland in his farewell match.

Nethula, Auckland opener Jeet Raval and Stags fast bowler Adam Milne were the only returnees from that match.

Nethula played five one-day internationals for the Black Caps but hasn’t appeared for the national side since July 2012 in Kingston, Jamaica.

He returned to Auckland, the team he made his first-class debut for in 2008.

Last summer he took 43 Plunket Shield wickets, one behind leading Stags left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, and was top Ford Trophy wickettaker this summer with 21 at an average of 22 and economy rate of

5.8.

Nethula sparked the Stags’ collapse of 5-7 in 7.3 overs on Saturday when he removed captain Will Young after a 101-run stand with Tom Bruce. Having won the toss and chosen to bat, it was curtains for the hosts, who lost all 10 wickets to catches.

‘‘Hats off to Auckland, their big dogs Lockie and Tarun led the way and the part-time spinners bowled really well on a wicket that assisted them,’’ said Young, whose team won seven straight and looked near unbeatable heading into the final.

They also lost the Twenty20 decider to the Knights in Hamilton, and last year were pipped by Wellington in a tense T20 final at Pukekura Park.

Auckland began their pursuit of

198 knowing all three chasing sides had won Pukekura Park onedayers this summer, including themselves on December 3.

Test opener Raval, after scoring

149 to help eliminate Canterbury on Wednesday, showed his readiness for England with a breezy 47 off 54 balls and an opening stand of

84 with Glenn Phillips (63 off 75).