Papps cracks triple century against Auckland
It was Michael Papps’ day in the Plunket Shield with the veteran batsman ripping up the record books at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday.
Papps’ stunning 316 not out, the highest first class score by a Wellington batsman, has the Firebirds on track for an innings triumph over Auckland. The Aces have been chasing the game since slumping to 12-7 in their first innings on Monday and being dismissed for a paltry 62.
Otago remain in charge against a depleted Canterbury at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, who displayed greater resistance with the bat in their second innings.
After rain washed out day one in Mount Maunganui, Northern Districts are in complete control after a dominant second day against Central Districts, getting through to 378-4 at stumps.
WELLINGTON v AUCKLAND at Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Experienced opener Papps won’t forget this match in a hurry.
The 38-year-old achieved several New Zealand domestic cricket records, pummelling Auckland’s attack to all corners of the Basin in his unbeaten 316, which came from
435 deliveries.
Papps’ knock was the highest first class score by a Wellington batsman, eclipsing John Reid’s 296 from the 1962-63 summer. He teamed up for a stellar 432-run opening stand with Luke Woodcock, who on any other day would have been the headline act with
151.
Papps and Woodcock wrote themselves into the New Zealand cricket record books with the highest opening partnership for all teams, surpassing Central Districts pair Jamie How and Peter Ingram’s 428-run stand from
2009-10. It was also the best partnership for all wickets for Wellington and one which isn’t going to be broken any time soon.
The triple century is Papps’
32nd first class ton and comes in his 20th season of first class cricket. His previous high score was 206 not out.
Wellington declared at tea after posting 553-3, a mammoth first innings lead of 491.
Auckland’s second innings started better with the bat, but the Aces are staring down the barrel of an innings thrashing.
At stumps, Auckland were 73-1, still requiring a whopping 418 runs to make Wellington bat again.
Auckland 62 and 73-1 (Jeet Raval 39no) met Wellington 553-3 decl (Michael Papps 316no, Luke Woodcock 151, Tom Blundell 42no).
NORTHERN DISTRICTS v CENTRAL DISTRICTS at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui.
Bat dominated ball at Mt Maunganui with Northern Districts in the driver’s seat after day two (rain washed out play on day one).
Anchored by half centuries to Bharat Popli, Tim Seifert, Daniel Flynn, Dean Brownlie and BJ Watling, who was unbeaten on 55 at stumps, ND got through to an imposing 378-4 at the close of play.
Popli appeared headed for his fourth first class ton, but was struck in front by CD spinner Ajaz Patel on 84. Flynn (62) and Seifert (77) set the platform for ND, contributing 121 for the first wicket.
Another century stand (120) from Popli and Dean Brownlie, who hit 62, further frustrated the CD bowlers. New Zealand test wicketkeeper BJ Watling added to their misery, hitting seven fours in his 55 not out, late in the day.
Patel was the pick of the CD bowlers, capturing 2-81 from 26 overs.
Northern Districts 378-4 (Bharat Popli 84, Tim Seifert 77, Daniel Flynn 62, Dean Brownlie 62, BJ Watling 55no) met Central Districts.
CANTERBURY v OTAGO at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Injury-ravaged Canterbury hauled themselves back into the contest on day two, but have plenty of work ahead to avoid a first-up loss to Otago.
Otago were restricted to 216 in the first innings, in reply to Canterbury’s 155, with spinners Tim Johnston and Blake Coburn combining for six wickets.
Coburn, a left-arm unorthodox spinner, impressed on debut, taking 3-71.
Canterbury were in trouble in their second innings at 93-4, but Cameron Fletcher and Leo Carter gave the hosts hope, combining for an unbeaten 63-run fifth wicket stand.
Fletcher was 39 not out at stumps with Carter on 24, but the pair will need to stick around for an extended period on day three if they are to keep annoying the Otago attack.
Canterbury hold a 95-run lead with six second innings wickets in hand.
Canterbury 155 and 156-4 (Cameron Fletcher 39 no, Chad Bowes 33) met Otago 216 (Brad Wilson 58, Mark Craig 46, Jimmy Neesham 38; Tim Johnston 3-49, Blake Coburn 3-71).