Henry puts Canterbury on top

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 table-topping 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 (seven), but Stephen Murdoch (47 not out) and captain Cole McConchie (32 not out) righted the ship to have them 88-2 at stumps, trailing by 173.

At the Basin Reserve in Wellington, Firebirds youngster Rachin Ravindra came 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 first-class century was the highlight as the Auckland Aces posted 314-7 after being sent in by the Otago Volts at their Eden Park Outer Oval home.

Chapman reached the milestone in the penultimate over of the day and was not out on 101 off 136 balls at stumps.

Black Caps opener Jeet Raval didn’t have the innings he would have been hoping for ahead of the three tests against Bangladesh, dismissed for just four shortly after the day began.