Lister bowls Aces to victory
A stunning bowling spell from young left-armer Ben Lister helped Auckland reverse the result of last year’s elimination final and topple defending Ford Trophy champions Wellington in yesterday’s opening round.
Fresh from a wicketless spell for a New Zealand XI against England, Lister roared into the white ball season with figures of 5-18 off 7.5 overs in the Aces’ four-wicket victory over the Firebirds at Eden Park’s Outer Oval.
The 23-year-old’s previous best return from eight list-A matches was
3-33, and he was into his work early yesterday with the cheap wickets of Jakob Bhula (9) and skipper Michael Bracewell (0).
After Danru Ferns removed Wellington dangerman Devon Conway
(2), Lister returned to clean up the Firebirds’ middle order and dismiss them for 191 in the 45th over.
Only Jamie Gibson (64 off 99 balls) offered significant resistance for the visitors.
Black Caps Twenty20 openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill made little impact on return to the Aces, both removed cheaply by Ollie Newton (3-32). Munro (8) chopped on and Guptill (7) skied a catch to third man.
Rob O’Donnell (64 off 79) played the steadying hand Auckland needed then Sean Solia finished the job, his unbeaten 65 seeing the Aces home with 10.4 overs to spare.
At Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland: Wellington Firebirds 191 off 44.5 overs (Jamie Gibson 64; Ben Lister 5-18, Danru Ferns 3-36) lost to Auckland Aces 195-6 off 39.2 overs (Sean Solia 65no, Rob O’Donnell 64, Ollie Newton 3-32) by 4 wickets.
Centuries from George Worker and Ben Smith had Central Stags in complete control of Canterbury before the Palmerston North rain had the final say.
Worker (135 off 124 balls) and Smith (100 off 88) smashed Canterbury’s bowlers all over Fitzherbert Park to the tune of 349-4, Central’s ninth-highest 50-over total.
With Canterbury facing a daunting chase, their innings was just 2.4 overs old before downpours saw the points shared and the Stags rueing what might have been.
Worker scored 130 against Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield last month and hit his
12th list-A century on Sunday, cracking 17 fours and three sixes before he was one of Andrew Ellis’ three victims.
Ellis took 3-68 off his 10 and turned heads when bowling in a baseball catcher’s mask to protect his face.
Smith also cleared the rope three times as he and Worker added 145 for the second wicket.
Skipper Tom Bruce – in his first limited overs match since undergoing knee surgery – whacked
56 off 28 balls to ensure the top order’s solid work didn’t go to waste.
At Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North:
Central Stags 349-4 off 50 overs (George Worker 135, Ben Smith 100, Tom Bruce 56; Andrew Ellis 3-68) v Canterbury 3-0 off 2.4 overs. No result (rain).
Northern Districts and Otago Volts are playing a day-nighter in Hamilton.