Guptill in form for Aces

Black Caps opener Martin Guptill was back in full stride against the red ball in the fourth round of the Plunket Shield, scoring a century at Eden Park at the weekend. Guptill made 110 off 157 against the Otago Volts, while fellow unwanted Black Cap Jeet Raval scored 24. On day two of round four matches, the Auckland Aces, Central Stags and Canterbury have the upper hand. The Aces declared at 467-6 against the Volts, who won the toss and elected to bowl. The Volts were struggling in reply, limping to 59-4 at stumps.

In Napier, play between the Central Stags and Northern Districts came to an end because of bad light with the Stags 196-4 in reply to Northern’s 271.

At Mainpower Oval in Rangiora, Canterbury won the toss and elected to bowl against Wellington who were all out for 316. For Canterbury, Ken McClure was not out on 110 with Leo Carter on 62 as Canterbury were well placed at 241-3 at stumps.

Auckland Aces v Otago Volts at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland: Auckland 467-6 declared (Martin Guptill 110, Glenn Phillips 102, Robert O’Donnell 61 not out, Jacob Duffy 2-88) v Otago Volts 59-4 (Dean Foxcroft 16, Louis Delport 2-2).

Central Stags v Northern Districts at McLean Park, Napier: Northern 271 (Bharat Popli 62, Scott Kuggeleijn 60, Ish Sodhi 48, Blair Tickner 4-59) v Central 196-4 (Greg Hay 69, Will Young 68, Scott Kuggeleijn 2-54). Canterbury v Wellington Firebirds at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora: Wellington 316 (Michael Bracewell 87, Rachin Ravindra 78, James Neesham 61, Andrew Hazeldine 4-62) v Canterbury 241-3 (Ken McClure 110 not out, Leo Carter 62 not out, Iain McPeake 2-42).