Phillips’ century all in vain
The Auckland Aces folded despite an unbeaten century from Glenn Phillips as the Otago Volts edged an entertaining feast of runs at Eden Park’s Outer Oval on Saturday.
Both sides took full advantage of the ground’s short boundaries with more than 400 runs on the board but Auckland were an unlucky 13 shy of Otago’s imposing 210-6 in the opening round of the men’s Twenty20 Super Smash.
Volts opener Neil Broom fell short of a century of his own (out for 93 off 57 balls) in the final over of Otago’s innings, but his support was better than that of the home side’s batsmen with Hamish Rutherford (52 off 23) and Dean Foxcroft (36 off 18) chipping in with vital knocks for the visitors.
Broom was bowled by former Black Cap Mitchell McClenaghan after hitting seven fours and six sixes but Otago would pass 200 and Auckland fell short in their reply.
Wicketkeeper/batsman Phillips, who has played 11 T20 internationals for the Black Caps, finished not out on 106 off 61 balls having hit eight fours and six sixes.
But Auckland’s only other contribution of note was from Black Caps opener Martin Guptill (46 off 18) and their chase ended on 197-5.
Meanwhile, after the Central Stags started their title defence by hammering the Knights on Friday, the Wellington Firebirds finished the opening round with a comfortable six-wicket win over the Canterbury Kings at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday.
Former Black Caps spinner Jeetal Patel was in top form for the Firebirds, taking three wickets for 16, as Canterbury were dismissed for a modest 129 in 19.4 overs.
After Rachin Ravindra’s top score of 38 off 27 balls, Wellington’s reply wobbled as Cole McConchie took three quick wickets in the middle of their chase and they were fortunate the hosts squandered a few run out chances.
Canterbury’s tails were up when Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham departed cheaply for six, but Michael Bracewell and Malcolm Nofal’s unbeaten, 45-run partnership for the fifth wicket saw the Firebirds home with eight balls to spare.