Rookie Lister steals show against stars

On a day when 10 New Zealand test or ‘A’ representatives were expected to shine, rookie Ben Lister was the star for Auckland against Northern Districts in their round four Plunket Shield cricket match at Hamilton.

The 21-year-old took five wickets for 29 runs from 15 overs in a display of controlled left-arm pace bowling which belied the fact he was playing his second first-class match. What’s more, Lister’s wickets comprised five of ND’s top seven batsmen, including New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. The hosts were dismissed for 148. Auckland were 121 for three at stumps.

Lister began by getting a ball to nip back and bowl left-hander Daniel Flynn for a duck to end the first over. He soon had BJ Watling flashing at a wider ball which rifled to wicketkeeper Ben Horne, who finished with four catches for the innings.

Williamson and Mitchell Santner put on 65 for the third wicket. The partnership boded well ahead of the West Indies’ arrival for tests next month. Watling decided not to keep as he recovers from a hip injury. His appearance at first slip was worth a second glance with the visibility of just five digits across two hands. The other half were bandaged.

From a Black Caps perspective, the second innings of the match provided an upside and a downside. The down was that strike bowlers Tim Southee and Tim Boult could not coax any Auckland wickets in the first 20 overs. The up was opener Jeet Raval anchoring the Auckland innings during the new ball period, eking out 37 from 78 balls.

After taking 12 wickets against Otago, Auckland’s Lockie Ferguson was rested as he prepares to play for New Zealand A against the West Indies from November 25-27.