Duffy bags seven but Firebirds in control
Jacob Duffy claimed the first fivewicket bag of the first-class cricket season yesterday, but it might not be enough to help the Otago Volts out of the jam they’re in.
The right-arm seamer took 7-89 as the Wellington Firebirds were dismissed for 372 in reply to the Volts’ paltry first-innings total of 199 on day two of the opening round of the Plunket Shield.
Devon Conway (96), Tom Blundell (82) Rachin Ravindra (76) had helped the Firebirds reach 305-3 in the second session at the Basin Reserve in Wellington before Duffy began to work his magic.
Blundell was the first to fall, LBW, and he was followed by Conway, who was four runs short of a century when he left a ball that jagged back in from outside off to hit the top of off stump.
Only 67 runs were added for the last six wickets, as Duffy got the ball to move around, but Wellington still ended up with a first-innings lead of 173.
The Volts had made it to 62-2 at stumps.
At the Basin Reserve, Wellington: Otago Volts 199 & 62-2 v Wellington Firebirds 372 all out (Devon Conway 96, Tom Blundell 82, Rachin Ravindra 76; Jacob Duffy 7-89).
Northern Districts’ Black Capsladen lineup was able to wrap up
Canterbury’s first innings quickly on the second morning in Christchurch, dismissing the hosts for 390 with Trent Boult and Neil Wagner getting three wickets each.
Kane Williamson and BJ Watling weren’t able to show their wares, however, dismissed for 26 and 2 respectively as Northern fought their way to 156-3 on a rain-hit day.
Williamson was done in by a rising ball from international teammate Matt Henry that he could only fend to second slip, while Watling was bowled by fellow Black Cap Todd Astle.
White-ball international Tim
Seifert showed what he can do in the red-ball game, finishing the day not out on 85.
Canterbury’s left-armer seamer Ed Nuttall produced the delivery of the day, yorking Northern opener Daniel Flynn for 17.
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch: Canterbury 390 all out (Cole McConchie 107, Henry Nicholls 103; Trent Boult 3-70, Neil Wagner 3-120) v Northern Districts 156-3 (Tim Seifert 85no).
Eleven wickets fell on day two at Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland, as the Central Stags faltered after restricting the Auckland Aces to 210 in their first innings.
When rain brought an early end to proceedings, Central had reached 144-8, with Brad Schmulian playing a lone hand, not out on 66, joined by Seth Rance who was on 3.
Willem Ludick took two of the three Aces wickets to fall yesterday to finish with 3-29, after Blair Tickner (3-52) had done the bulk of the work on day one.
Martin Guptill (69) and Glenn Phillips (51) didn’t receive much support from their Auckland team-mates as the team collapsed from 98-1 to 210 all out.
Matt McEwan was in fine form for the Aces, taking 3-40. .
At Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland: Auckland Aces 210 all out (Martin Guptill 69, Glenn Phillips 51; Willem Ludick 3-29, Blair Tickner 3-52) v Central Stags 144-8 (Brad Schmulian 66no; Matt McEwan 3-40).