Wellington’s Nofal scores unbeaten century on debut
Malcolm Nofal has scored a century on debut to help Wellington dominate the opening day of their top-of-the-table Plunket Shield clash with Central Districts at the Basin Reserve.
Wellington were 365-6 at stumps yesterday, with Nofal unbeaten on 136, after putting on a record sixthwicket partnership of 247 with Luke Woodcock, who made 147.
Nofal, a South African 26-year-old, brought up his maiden first-class century in 136 balls. Central had been on top, reducing Wellington to 99-5, before Woodcock and Nofal combined to turn the tables.
In Rangiora at Mainpower Oval, Canterbury are 283-4 with Ken McClure unbeaten on 119.
Cole McConchie looked set to record his third first-class century until he was caught behind by Finn Allen from the bowling of Lockie Ferguson for 99.
Northern Districts are well on top in Whangarei after reducing Otago to 137-5. James Baker grabbed two early wickets and Ish Sodhi continued his good form with the ball, snaring Hamish Rutherford and Rob Nicol.
Meanwhile, England’s batsman have tuned up nicely for their test series against the Black Caps, making the most of the final day of their practice match against a New Zealand XI at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
With the exception of Liam Livingstone, who is not set to feature in their test XI, and captain Joe Root, they failed against the pink ball at the same ground on Thursday, but they had an easier time of it against the red ball yesterday, making 353-9 in 90 overs.
Root made an unbeaten 50 under lights on Thursday, and backed that up with 115 yesterday. Ben Stokes made a welcome appearance at the crease, after missing the two-day pink-ball match and the first day of the red-ball match, and made 27 before he was caught.
At Basin Reserve, Wellington (day one):
(Luke Woodcock 147, Malcolm Nofal 136no; Willem Ludick 3-68, Adam Milne 2-71) met
At Mainpower Oval, Rangiora (day one):
(Ken McClure 119no, Cole McConchie 99, Chad Bowes 47; Lockie Ferguson 2-40) met
At Cobham Oval, Whangarei (day one):
(Anaru Kitchen 57; James Baker 2-26, Ish Sodhi 2-52) met