Central Stags still on top
Wellington’s Plunket Shield lead was only temporary.
For an hour or so the Firebirds were perched atop the four-day standings, after beating Otago at the Basin Reserve. But by the time stumps were finally drawn yesterday, the Central Stags had roared back to the top of the table, courtesy of an impressive 151-run win over Auckland.
Northern Districts might yet blow past Wellington as well, given the 354-run lead they hold over Canterbury with a day left to play at Hagley Oval.
But let’s linger on events at Eden Park’s Outer Oval first, where the Stags got up late.
Having set Auckland 351 to win, the Stags made consistent inroads en route to bowling the hosts out for 199. After reducing the Aces to nine-down in their second innings, CD were given an extra half-hour to try and finish things off. Seth Rance eventually did the honours, bowling Danru Ferns to end with 2-49. Fellow opening bowler Doug Bracewell took 3-33.
Down in Wellington, the Firebirds had already made light work of Otago.
On the back of Devon Conway’s double hundred, Wellington went to win by an overwhelming innings and 101 runs. Resuming at 114-5, in response to the Firebirds 509-5 declared, the Volts were soon shot out for 190.
Wellington wasted no time in enforcing the followon, eventually bowling Otago out for 218 late on day three of the scheduled four. Michael Rippon backed up his first inn ings 47 with 57 not out in the second dig. Evergreen offspinner Jeetan Patel finished with 3-75 after Iain McPeake had knocked the top off Otago’s second innings.
Meanwhile, Northern Districts are very handily poised in their clash with Canterbury.
Ish Sodhi’s 3-48 helped ensure the hosts were knocked over for 228 in their first turn of bat, to trail ND by 150. Opener Henry Cooper made 58 in ND’s second dig, but it’s Colin de Grandhomme whose name looms largest ahead of day four.
Having made 115 in the first innings he’ll resume on 17, and with a licence to swing freely, as ND seek to build on their big lead of 354.