Aces book final date with Stags

So much for Jeet Raval being a long-form specialist.

New Zealand’s test opener hit a List A career-best knock of 149 to lead Auckland to a 107-run victory over Canterbury in the Ford Trophy elimination final yesterday.

The Aces move on to face the Central Stags in the 50-over final on Saturday at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park.

Raval had tallied just 106 runs at 21 from five Ford Trophy innings this summer before the match, but showed what he is capable of in white ball cricket on an important stage. He hit 10 fours and four sixes in his 153-ball stay at the crease at Auckland’s Colin Maiden Park, finally departing in the 48th over to Canterbury skipper Andrew Ellis.

Raval’s second List A ton anchored Auckland’s total of 304-6 with Robbie O’Donnell (40), captain Craig Cachopa (37) and Sean Solia (28) batting around him and forming effective partnerships.

Ellis was in the wars in his first over bowling, being struck in the head by the ball from a fierce Raval straight drive. It was hit with such force it cannoned away for six, though was initially signalled four by the umpire.

Ellis passed a concussion test and returned to take 2-52 from seven overs.

Defending Ford Trophy champions Canterbury got off to a positive start in reply. Michael Pollard and Michael Davidson added 69 for the first wicket, giving the red-andblacks a solid platform.

They quickly slumped to 87-3 with Black Cap Henry Nicholls, fresh off 122 against Northern Districts in Saturday’s minor semifinal, removed for a two-ball duck.

Right-arm seamer Solia did the damage to get rid of both openers, while young paceman Jamie

Brown, in just his sixth List A match, nabbed the big wicket of Nicholls, who skied one up to wicketkeeper Ben Horne.

Under pressure ODI batsman Tom Latham, who was desperate for a large score, and Todd Astle,

set about repairing the Canterbury innings and added 51 for the fourth wicket.

Part-timer Glenn Phillips was the unlikely man to break the partnership with his off spin, forcing a mistake from Latham, who was out sweeping for 29.

Latham has notched 117 runs in five Ford Trophy innings for Canterbury this summer with a highest score of 46 not out, hardly the form he would have wanted heading into the five-match series against England, starting in Hamilton on Sunday.

Legspinner Tarun Nethula dismissed Ellis for 12 and Astle in his next over for 42. That gave Auckland the ascendancy with Canterbury 173-6 after 32 overs.

Canterbury’s tail fell cheaply to be rolled for 197 inside 37.2 overs.

Nethula, the Ford Trophy’s leading wicket taker with 19 scalps, impressed again with 4-43 from 9.2 overs.

Central will start as favourites for the final, having finished as top qualifiers and beaten Auckland in two of their three matches, including Saturday’s major semifinal.

Auckland will take heart from their five wicket win over the Stags in round one in December, which was played at the final venue, Pukekura Park.