Henry runs hot for Canty

Black Caps seamer Matt Henry claimed the

13th five-wicket bag of his first-class career when the Plunket Shield resumed yesterday, helping Canterbury get on top of the tabletopping Central Stags.

Henry took 5-76 as the Stags were dismissed for 261 after winning the toss and choosing to bat at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora in the fifth round of the domestic first-class competition.

Tom Bruce led the way for the Stags, scoring a brisk 74 off 75 balls before he was bowled by Henry, while wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver offered the best support, making 65 in his

121-ball stay at the crease.

The pair put on 128 for the fourth wicket, but the other nine partnerships only amounted to 133, as Henry received good support from fellow seamers Andrew Hazeldine

(2-69) and Henry Shipley (2-27). Canterbury stumbled early, losing openers Chad Bowes (for a duck) and Jack Boyle (for

7), but Stephen Murdoch (47no) and captain Cole McConchie (32no) righted the ship to have them 88-2 at stumps, trailing by 173.

At the Basin Reserve in Wellington, Firebirds youngster Rachin Ravindra came agonisingly close to registering his maiden first-class century, only to be trapped in front by Black Caps legspinner Ish Sodhi for 96.

The Plunket Shield’s leading runscorer Devon Conway did reach three figures and was not out on 146 as the Firebirds finished the day 367-5, a haul made all the sweeter by the fact that they were sent in by Northern Districts.

All-rounder Mark Chapman’s maiden firstclass century was the highlight as the Auckland Aces posted 314-7 after being sent in by the Otago Volts at Eden Park Outer Oval.