Bennett bowls over Canty – in just two days

Canterbury couldn’t handle the pace of Hamish Bennett and suffered a five-wicket loss inside two days on Thursday as the Wellington Firebirds notched their fourth straight win in a row.

Bennett added five more wickets in Canterbury’s second innings to the five he took in their first innings in the low-scoring match at the Basin Reserve, giving him his first 10-wicket match haul at first-class level for just 48 runs.

His fellow former Canterbury pace bowling teammate Logan van Beek also enjoyed his time at the bowling crease bagging six wickets for the match with three in each innings to back Bennett.

Canterbury had made only 118 in their first knock but were just 41 in arrears when they started their second innings after the Firebirds resumed at 143-7 and were dismissed for 159.

Continuing the theme of the pace bowlers prospering on the seamer friendly surface, Canterbury’s Henry Shipley produced his best first-class figures and first five wicket haul with five for 37.

Bennett struck early in the second innings and Canterbury struggled to lunch at 58-3. Cam Fletcher top scored for the visitors with 33, while down the order Matt Henry chimed in with 27.

Canterbury captain Andrew Ellis only made nine but reached 5000 runs for his province in doing so. However it was hardly the way he or Todd Astle would have wanted to celebrate their 100th first-class matches for the province.

For Wellington, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell had a fielding day gloving six catches for the innings and 10 overall for the match equalling the Wellington record.

Chasing 116 to win in Wellington’s second innings, Luke Woodcock and Stephen Murdoch were out cheaply, but Michael Papps steadied the side with 48 and though he lost his wicket, Blundell and van Beek saw the Firebirds home.

Auckland looked in control at the end of day two of their match against Northern Districts – with a handy first innings total of 315 and ND on 81-3 at stumps after being dismissed for 148 in their first dig.

Black Caps batsmen Kane Williamson (38) and BJ Watling (25) started well for ND, but were dismissed late in the day, leaving the home side with a struggle moving into day three.

The Central Stags made a good start in chasing down Otago’s giant first innings total of 513-7 declared.

Central finished day two on 163-2 with openers Greg Hay (57) and George Worker (52) getting the side away to a solid start, before Neil Wagner dismissed them both in quick order.

Otago started the day on 319-5 eventually declaring at 513 for seven, Derek de Boorder undefeated on 140, just six runs below his career best, while Anaru Kitchen scored 76.