Ferguson enhances selection prospects
Lockie Ferguson pressed his claim for a first test call-up with an impressive four-wicket haul yesterday.
The Auckland quick was instrumental in bundling Wellington out for 91 at the Basin Reserve, snaring 4-23 from just 9.3 overs on the opening day of their Plunket Shield clash in the capital.
Ferguson was released from New Zealand’s T20 squad for the final two matches of their five-match series against England, a clear sign the selectors want to see him playing red-ball cricket ahead of the two-test series against England.
The Black Caps selectors are scheduled to name their test 13 to face England later next week, with the fast bowling makeup and the solitary spinner the only two discussion points.
Ferguson bowled with real zip after the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl on a green pitch at the Basin. The 28-year-old even got the red cherry to talk early, swinging one back in and cleaning up opener Fraser Colson, who didn’t offer a shot at the delivery which started outside off-stump.
Left-hander Malcolm Nofal gloved a Ferguson bouncer to keeper Ben Horne, before he accounted for tailenders Logan van Beek and Michael Snedden.
Led by Mark Chapman’s unbeaten 28, Auckland reached 111-3 at stumps and will take a 20-run lead into day two.
Wellington v Auckland at Basin Reserve: Wellington 91 (Devon Conway 22; Lockie Ferguson 4-23, Matt McEwan 3-28) met Auckland 111-3 from 36.3 overs (Mark Chapman 28no, Sean Solia 25no).
Black Caps batsmen Tom
Latham and Henry Nicholls were both dismissed for ducks, but that didn’t stop Canterbury taking dayone honours against Central Districts at Nelson’s Saxton Oval.
Like the Wellington fixture, ball also dominated bat at the top of the South Island, where Canterbury rolled the hosts for 164.
Right-arm quick Fraser Sheat was the chief destroyer, snaffling 4-52, including the wickets of opener Greg Hay (37) and middle order batsman Tom Bruce (11).
Black Caps seamer Matt Henry took 2-36 from 19 overs, while leftarmer Ed Nuttal finished with 2-48.
Led by Stephen Murdoch’s unbeaten half century, Canterbury trailed the hosts by just 38 runs at stumps, although they weren’t helped by Latham, caught at third slip off Seth Rance’s bowling, and Nicholls, who got cleaned up by a peach from left-armer Ray Toole.
Central Districts v Canterbury at Saxton Oval: Central Districts 164 (Greg Hay 37; Fraser Sheat 4-52, Matt Henry 2-36) met Canterbury 126-4 from 31 overs (Stephen Murdoch 57no, Chad Bowes 29; Ray Toole 2-25).
Henry Cooper struck a careerhigh 149 to put Northern Districts in the box seat against Otago at the University Oval in Dunedin.
Cooper, whose previous highest score was 136, was the only player on the day to go past 20 and appeared to be batting on a different surface from everyone else.
He struck 16 fours and cleared the rope half a dozen times, facing 239 deliveries before Northern were eventually dismissed for 243 from 82.1 overs.
Black Caps seamer Neil Wagner dismissed both Otago openers – Hamish Rutherford and Dale Phillips – leaving the hosts in trouble at 29-2.
Otago Volts v Northern Districts at University Oval: Northern Districts 243 (Henry Cooper 149; Michael Rippon 4-60, Michael Rae 3-50) met Otago 29-2 from 13 overs (Dean Foxcroft 12no; Neil Wagner 2-10).