Stags keep pace with Firebirds

A Plunket Shield cricket title duel between neighbours Wellington Firebirds and Central Stags continues to heat up, after Greg Hay’s unbeaten century helped the Stags canter to victory over Otago in Napier.

Having not featured in their whiteball campaign, Hay hit an unbeaten 134 as the Stags beat the Volts by six wickets chasing 264 to win at McLean Park yesterday.

After Wellington demolished Canterbury by 10 wickets inside two days in Christchurch, they lead by three points over the Stags with four rounds left.

Auckland, who beat Northern Districts by 140 runs yesterday, remain in contention but are 15 points behind Central who they host in the next round, starting on Friday.

After spinner Ajaz Patel snared 5-44 on Saturday to help dismiss Otago for 162 in their second innings, the Stags had ample time to reach their target as they hope for third time lucky in the Plunket Shield after defeats in the Twenty20 and one-day finals. They were rarely troubled as Hay notched his 10th first-class century.

Test bowler Neil Wagner, who snared five wickets in the first innings, could only manage 1-64 off 25 overs as the Stags’ cautious approach paid off with plenty of overs up their sleeves.

Captain Will Young and Jesse Ryder each contributed 28 with Hay the anchor, before Tom Bruce cracked 31 not out at a run-a-ball to polish off the target just after lunch on the final day. Hay batted 387 minutes and faced 269 balls in his innings which vaulted him to the top of the competition’s runscoring charts with 585.

On the wicket table, Auckland’s Matt McEwan moved into second spot with 27 for the season, after he helped bowl his side to victory over Northern.

McEwan (4-36) and impressive young left-armer Ben Lister (4-34) tore through Northern who were set 302 to win at Eden Park and were dismissed for just 161 in 57 overs.

Friday’s other hat-trick taker, Wellington’s Logan van Beek, sits atop the wicket charts with 30 after he helped demolish his former team in Christchurch.

In other round-seven matches, Northern host Canterbury in Whangarei and leaders Wellington travel to Dunedin to face Otago.