Stags couldn’t contain Raval

At a glance

An impressive hundred by Auckland Aces opening batsman Jeet Raval has helped his side claim their sixth win in the Ford Trophy – continuing their lead in the competition.

The Blackcaps test opener scored 118 runs off 120 balls against the Central Stags at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth on Sunday as the Aces won by four wickets.

Raval looked completely in control during the run chase, with 12 fours and two sixes, as the Aces chased down the Stags’ 282 total with two overs to spare.

The 31-year-old was helped along by significant partnerships throughout the second innings with 51 runs between Raval and Will O’Donnell for the first wicket, then a 57-run stand with Aces captain Craig Cachopa, 70 runs paired with Finn Allen and 50 with Robbie O’Donnell for the fourth wicket.

The crowd at Pukekura Park was appreciative of Raval’s innings when he was bowled by Ben Wheeler in the 42nd over.

Stags bowlers Wheeler and Seth Rance claimed a pair each.

Earlier in the day, the Aces sent the Stags into bat and WASP (winning and

282/8 (B. Wiggins 98, J. Clarkson 44, G. Worker 32. L. Delport 2/47)

283/6 (J. Raval 118, R. O’Donnell 46, B. Horne 31. S. Rance 2/54) Aces won by four wickets

Central Stags:

Auckland Aces:

score predictor) estimated over 300 for the first innings total.

That was attributed to the fast-paced nature of the Stags innings, that included a 57-run stand for the first wicket between openers George Worker and wicketkeeper Bayley Wiggins.

Wiggins missed out on his maiden domestic hundred, falling short by two runs, in just his second match for the Stags.

Throughout the innings, the Stags had contributions by Wiggins (98), Worker (32), Ben Smith (25), Kieran Noema-Barnett (27) and Josh Clarkson (44).

The Aces tightened up their bowling, slowing down the run-rate with the Stags getting through to 282/8.

Auckland’s bowlers were expensive thanks to the short boundaries, but the pick of the bunch was Lewis Delport who bowled 10 overs in-a-row claiming 2/47.

The Aces comfortably chased down the score with bowler Kyle Jamieson smashing a boundary to claim their sixth win in eight matches.