Allen in record-breaking form

Wellington Firebirds’ sensation Finn Allen has given the New Zealand Cricket selectors yet another reminder of his prodigious talent.

The 21-year-old wrote his name into the record books, smashing 128 from

59 balls in the Firebirds’ last round Ford Trophy match against the Otago Volts at the Basin Reserve yesterday.

Allen was merciless on the Volts’ attack, blasting 11 sixes and nine fours as Wellington racked up a mammoth

427-8 from 50 overs, a New Zealand List A record.

Two days after combining for 682 runs, the sides played out another runfest with a staggering 772 runs scored on the day. Otago delivered a valiant effort in reply, amassing 345, but fell 82 runs short.

Victory clinched Wellington a berth in Wednesday’s elimination final against Northern Districts, who secured second spot, beating the bottom placed Central Stags by five wickets. Wellington did have to wait it out to book their place with Auckland pushing leaders Canterbury all the way in the late finishing match, before losing by 13 runs.

Former New Zealand under-19 international Allen has enjoyed a dream debut season with the Firebirds after moving from Auckland.

He achieved the equal fastest New Zealand List A century yesterday from

50 balls, joining former Canterbury batsman, turned coach, Peter Fulton, who brought up the milestone in the

2017 Ford Trophy final.

Allen wasn’t the only Firebirds’ centurion with New Zealand test opener Tom Blundell hitting a maiden List A ton. Blundell notched 151 from

140 balls, clubbing 17 fours and a six. Blundell and Allen added 191 for the first wicket, putting them in excellent shape for a whopping total.

Wellington’s total of 427 broke Central’s List A record of 417-6 against ND in 2012-13. The Firebirds’ previous highest List A score was 365 against Auckland in 2012-13.

Set a huge target, Otago showed plenty of fight, being rolled for 345. Michael Rippon and Dale Phillips gave the Firebirds a mid-innings fright, combining for a 138-run fifth wicket stand. Rippon top-scored with 84, while Phillips struck 62.

Canterbury, who had already confirmed first place and a home final on Saturday, edged Auckland by 13 runs.

In a reduced 29-overs match at Rangiora, Black Cap Tom Latham starred, contributing an unbeaten 118 from 75 balls, his seventh List A century and third for Canterbury. Fellow New Zealand international Henry Nicholls backed up his 113 against the same opponent on Friday with 49.

Will O’Donnell did his best to lead the Aces to victory with an impressive

79 from 59 balls. When he fell, Auckland needed 37 from three overs with three wickets left, which proved too steep.