Aces up the ante
The fourth innings holds no fears for Auckland.
For the second Sunday in succession the Aces successfully chased a potentially-tricky Plunket Shield total, to move to third on the competition standings.
Last week it was 257, to beat Canterbury by four wickets on Eden Park’s Outer Oval, with nine wickets being the winning margin this time around against Northern Districts. Set just 125, after bowling ND out for 262 in their second innings, Auckland were barely troubled in reaching 127-1.
They can now begin their preparations for the Twenty20 Super Smash, while the other four teams have to rock up for the final day of Plunket Shield cricket until February. For Canterbury, who need six runs to beat Otago, it’ll be shortlived, while Wellington have a bit of work to do on day four if their healthy first innings lead over Central Districts is to translate into outright points.
But we start at Eden Park. Chasing 125 to beat ND, Auckland didn’t make a race of it. When Scott Kuggeleijn nicked out Sean Solia with just two of those 125 on the board, Auckland could have got the wobbles.
But Solia’s opening partner Graeme Beghin was joined by Glenn Phillips and the pair added an unbeaten 125 to get the Aces home with nine wickets and more than a day to spare.
At Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland: Northern Districts 134 and 262 (Joe Carter 69, Tim Seifert 51, Ish Sodhi 47, Nick Kelly 30) lost to the Auckland Aces 272 (Sean Solia 71, Rob O’Donnell 65, Glenn Phillips 38; Scott Kuggeleijn 5-68) and 127-1 (Glenn Phillips 57 no, Graeme Beghin 54 no; Sean Solia 3-61, Will Somerville 3-87) by 9 wickets.
It’s nearly four losses from four for Otago. The Volts left fifthplaced Canterbury with just 15 runs to win in Dunedin, after being bowled out for 246 in their second innings. The visitors could only get to 9-1 in the three overs before stumps, so both teams will be back today.
Earlier, Canterbury had finished on 438 in reply to Otago’s first innings of just 206. Quick bowler Kyle Jamieson led the day-three batting charge for Canterbury, clouting 10 fours and a six in his 67. Jamieson then took 3-38, to leave his side on the brink of a comprehensive win.
At University of Otago Oval, Dunedin: Otago Volts 206 and 246 (Cam Hawkins 76, Hamish Rutherford 63; Kyle Jamieson 3-38, Will Williams 3-60, Cole McConchie 2-33) met Canterbury 438 (Cam Fletcher 107, Leo Carter 76, Henry Shipley 76, Kyle Jamieson 67, Chad Bowes 34; Matt Bacon 4-97) and 9-1.
A later afternoon rearguard effort left competition-leaders Central Districts with some hope of getting a draw against Wellington.
The Firebirds banked themselves a very useful 271-run first innings lead after Jeetan Patel’s 42 enabled them to push the final score out to 429. The Stags still trail by 87, after getting to stumps at 184-3, but they’ve at least given themselves a chance.
Opener George Worker looked a little unlucky to be given out caught behind for 35, before Brad Schmulian and Greg Hay both got past 50. Neither could kick on, though, leaving Dane Cleaver (22 not out from 67 balls) and Kieran Noema-Barnett (7 from 52) to block it out till stumps.
At Saxton Oval, Nelson: Central Stags 158 and 184-3 (Brad Schmulian 60, Greg Hay 52, George Worker 35) met the Wellington Firebirds 429 (Michael Bracewell 98, Rachin Ravindra 82, Luke Woodcock 64, Jimmy Neesham 50, Devon Conway 46, Jeetan Patel 42; Dean Foxcroft 5-67, Willem Ludick 2-47, Kieran Noema-Barnett 2-63).