Late wickets help Firebirds fight back

THREE late wickets turned around what could have been a frustrating day for the Wellington Firebirds.

Firebirds captain Michael Papps put Central Districts into bat on tacky pitch at Saxton Oval in Nelson on day one of the Plunket Shield match yesterday.

The seam trio of Brent Arnel (2-40), Matt McEwan (2-61) and Dane Hutchinson (1-48) got the ball to move around off the seam early, reducing the hosts to 92-4 just after lunch.

Drizzle interrupted play shortly after for about an hour and it seemed to work in CD’s favour, as George Worker and Kruger van Wyk came out after the break to build a partnership of 110.

The pair frustrated Wellington, as edges flew over and under the slips, and close lbw shouts were turned down.

Jeetan Patel (2-46) came into the attack later in the day and made the vital breakthrough, removing van Wyk for 51 with the help of a Matt Taylor catch.

It sparked a mini collapse as Josh Clarkson was bowled by McEwan eight balls later for a duck, before Patel had his second victim a further three overs later as Seth Rance was caught by Hutchinson for five. Worker continued to work his way towards a century, ending the day unbeaten on 86.

Ajaz Patel (13 not out) supported him through to stumps as CD reached 239-7.

In the day’s other game, 23 wickets fell in the match between Northern Districts and Auckland at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

Northern Districts batted first and managed 124, which looked a good score after Auckland could only reach 98 in their first dig. Michael Bates took 4-29 for Auckland, while Scott Kuggeleijn recorded a career-best 5-32 for ND.

ND were 39-3 in their second innings at stumps, a lead of 65 runs.

Canterbury’s game against starts today.

Otago