Aces high good enough for Stags

The Central Stags are Plunket Shield champions for the 10th time.

For the first time since 2013, the Stags will lift the Plunket Shield after their closest rivals, the Wellington Firebirds, slumped to a

120-run loss to the Auckland Aces in Auckland.

Wellington had hoped to claim their first title since 2004, with the Stags needing a massive 519 in their second innings to secure victory.

However, having been set 294 for victory, the Firebirds folded to

173 all out on the third day at Eden Park Outer Oval, sparking celebrations at Nelson Park in Napier for the triumphant Stags.

The largely home grown Stags, backing up losses in the finals of both limited overs competitions, only claimed the Plunket Shield lead in the last round as the Firebirds slipped up against Northern Districts.

Central are staring down a massive chase in their final match against Northern Districts, needing a huge total to secure victory.

But the batsmen now know the pressure is off.

Their bowling points for rolling Northern out for just 134 on the opening day are enough to secure the Plunket Shield even if they lose the match.

It was Seth Rance who took six wickets on the opening day in what proved a Shield securing bowling performance, meaning the subsequent collapse to 99 all out in their first innings didn’t matter.

The Stags have been excellent all season.

Greg Hay scored 786 runs opening the innings for Central, while Jesse Ryder and Will Young both have more than 600 on the season.

They’ve been superb with the ball, too, with Ajaz Patel the leading wicket taker in the competition with 48, including 6-143 in his latest effort in Napier.

Heading into the final game, Central hadn’t lost a game.

They had six wins and three draws, showing an ability to take games the distance when needed.

Wellington were right in the hunt until their final innings, thanks in large part to another brilliant bowling display from Jeetan Patel.

The veteran off spinner took

5-37 in the second innings as Auckland fell to 163 all out, setting Wellington 294 to win in more than a day and a half.

It was debutant Louis Delport who did the damage for Auckland.

The left-arm orthodox bowler took 4-42 in 22 overs to rip through the Firebirds.

Lockie Ferguson and Ben Lister chimed in with two wickets each to add to Wellington’s woes.

Auckland 304 (R O’Donnell 93no, M GuptillBunce 91, S Solia 72: L van Beek 6-36) and 163 (S Solia 59, M Chapman 30; J Patel 5-37, H Bennett 3-48) beat Wellington 174 (I McPeake 33no; L Ferguson 5-63, B Lister 3-42) and 173 (D Conway 47, V van Beek 34; L Delport 4-42) by 120 runs