Ryder in the runs again
Wellington are sitting pretty in the Plunket Shield, winning their second match by an innings to kick start the competition.
The Firebirds can unwind today after thrashing Otago by an innings and 43 runs inside two and a half days.
Jesse Ryder turned back the clock in Nelson, scoring his second ton of the match to give Central Districts the ascendancy against Auckland heading into the final day.
Northern Districts have a slight advantage against Canterbury at Rangiora. They require 245 on a day four pitch to beat the defending Plunket Shield champions with 10 second innings wickets in tact.
WELLINGTON v OTAGO at Basin Reserve, Wellington
Striving for their first Plunket Shield title in 13 years, Wellington are off to a flyer to begin the summer.
The Firebirds made it back-to-back innings victories inside three days to start the Plunket Shield, comprehensively outplaying Otago in all facets of the match.
Wellington secured victory in the morning session on Wednesday, knocking off the last four Otago wickets.
It was a disciplined team bowling performance from the Firebirds, skittling Otago for 184 and 142 in their two turns at bat.
Experienced seamer Hamish Bennett was superb, achieving match figures of 7-61, while fellow former Canterbury man Logan van Beek, continues to impress in the capital, snaring 5-63 for the match.
Otago will be bitterly disappointed with their meek showing having opened the competition with a seven wicket triumph over Canterbury.
There hasn’t been much to cheer about in red ball cricket in recent seasons for the Firebirds, but given this start, they’ve given themselves an ideal launching pad.
Wellington, who last won the Plunket Shield in 2003-04, take on Northern Districts in Hamilton in their next match, starting on Tuesday.
Wellington 369 defeated Otago 184 and 142 (Rob Nicol 39, Jimmy Neesham 38; Hamish Bennett 4-30) by an innings and 43 runs.
CANTERBURY v NORTHERN DISTRICTS at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
An impressive knock from Australian allrounder Daniel Sams has given Canterbury a chance heading into day four, but Northern Districts hold the upper hand.
Canterbury were in a position of power with ND 163-7 in their first innings in response to the home side’s 381.
Anton Devcich, batting at No. 7, frustrated the Canterbury attack, hitting 116 from 112 balls as ND got through to 339.
Canterbury were in trouble in their second innings at 54-5, but Sydney Thunder academy player Sams, who is available for two matches, steadied the ship with 88 from
74 balls, which included six sixes.
The Sydneysider has been a valuable addition for injury-hit Canterbury, chipping in with 49 in the first innings and three wickets with the ball, in his first class debut.
ND quicks Scott Kuggeleijn and James Baker both took three wickets to dismiss Canterbury for 202, setting them 245 for victory.
Canterbury will feel they’re a shot with early wickets, but ND will back themselves to chase down the target on what should be an intriguing final day.
Canterbury 381 and 202 (Daniel Sams 88, Cam Fletcher 31, Chad Bowes 30; James Baker 3-27, Scott Kuggeleijn 3-43) met Northern Districts 339 (Anton Devcich 116, Bharat Popli 76, Josef Walker 33; Tim Johnston 5-78, Daniel Sams 3-48).
CENTRAL DISTRICTS v AUCKLAND at Saxton Oval, Nelson
A second century in the match from former Black Cap Jesse Ryder has Central Districts in the box seat for a Plunket Shield win against Auckland.
After blasting 175 in the first innings, Ryder backed up that effort with an unbeaten 106 from 107 balls in the second dig.
Auckland have it all in front of them on the final day. At stumps, they were 60-2, requiring a daunting 366 further runs for an unlikely victory.
It was a tough day for the Aces, with Black Caps quick Lockie Ferguson suffering an injury to his right hand while facing a Doug Bracewell delivery.
Ferguson sat out the CD second innings, not bowling any overs. An Auckland spokesman said they were assessing his injury and it was too early to know the severity of the damage.
CD picked up two valuable wickets late in the final session with test opener Jeet Raval removed for 22 and Robbie O’Donnell falling for five.
Ryder dominated day three, teaming up for a 161-run fifth wicket stand with wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver, who whacked
88 from 78 balls.
The 34-year-old Ryder was merciless on the Auckland bowlers, hitting 12 fours and a six in his unbeaten knock.
Central Districts 472 and 302-5 decl (Jesse Ryder 106no, Dane Cleaver 88, Greg Hay 52) met Auckland 349 (Michael GuptillBunce 78, Mark Chapman 72, Ben Horne 41, Matt McEwan 41; Blair Tickner 3-64, Doug Bracewell 3-68, Seth Rance 3-73) and 60-2 (Michael Guptill-Bunce 30 no).