The Central Stags have completed a remarkable nine wicket win over Wellington at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Wellington declared yesterday on 207 to set Central a whopping 442 for victory – a target that was chased down with relative ease.
The victory was conspired by opener Peter Ingram and Jamie How who created a new New Zealand record first wicket partnership beating the 387 that was set in 1971/72 by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis against the West Indies at Georgetown in Guyana.
The previous domestic record goes back to 1950/51 – a 373 stand between Bert Sutcliffe and Less Watt for Otago against Auckland.
Opener Peter Ingram was the aggressor, blasting 245 not out off 286 balls, including 36 boundaries and one six. It is the second double century for Ingram who made 247 against the Northern Knights last season. It is Ingram’s second century this season and 11th in total.
Central captain Jamie How was more than a spectator, striking 176 and fell with only 14 runs required.
It was an incredible effort considering the Stags were rolled for a poultry 205 in their first knock and didn’t manage to bowl out Wellington in either of their innings.
The result sees the Central Stags leap frog the Wellington Firebirds into fourth spot on the table.
Day 3: Central Stags require 374 runs to win with 10 wickets in hand
The Central Stag started the day on 136 for two and capitulated to be 205 all out before lunch on day three of the Plunket Shield match against the Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve.
Peter Ingram was out late yesterday for 59, Brad Patton reached 55 this morning with the reliable Mathew Sinclair contributing 42.
All other batsman were out for single figure scores with seamer Andy McKay and spinner Jeetan Patel ripping through the line up. McKay finished with four for 60 with Patel, who is fifth on the overall MVP table, taking four for 66.
The Firebirds then added 207 to for four before declaring, leaving the Stags a run chase of 442 for victory.
Wellington number three batsman Cameron Merchant’s rich vein of form continued with 93 while Neil Parlane was unbeaten of 44.
In reply, Central are 69 without loss as openers Ingram and Jamie How take a contrasting approach. Ingram has raced to 55 off 46 including 12 boundaries with How 9 of 44.
Day 2: Central Stags trail the Wellington Firebirds by 304 runs with 8 wickets in hand
The Wellington Firebirds are in a strong position with a 304 run lead at the end of day two against the Central Stags at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
A unbeaten double century from all rounder Luke Woodcock and maiden First Class ton by nineteen year old Malaesaili Tugaga pushed Wellington’s total through to 440.
Woodcock started the day on 139 and carried on where he left off, batting sensibly to make 220 not out. He hit 27 boundaries, batted for over nine hours and over doubled his previous best of 106.
Number ten batsman Tugaga came in with the Firebirds teetering on 215 for eight and along with Woodcock put on 225 for the ninth wicket
In reply, Central lost Jamie How early but an 88 run second wicket partnership between Peter Ingram (59) and Brad Patton (50*) got things back on track.
Seamer Andy McKay took both wickets to finish the day with figures of 40 for two.
Day 1: Wellington Firebirds 265 for eight
The Wellington Firebirds have made 265 for eight on day one of the Plunket Shield match against the Central Stags at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
It was a shaky start for the Firebirds, who were put into bat, with Michael Mason ripping through the top order to reduce the home side to three for five after 6.1 overs. Cameron Merchant looked to steady the innings, facing 55 balls and batting 75 minutes for 15.
Luke Woodcock and Steward Rhodes fought back with a 109 run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Rhodes, who debuted last week with an unbeaten 142, continued his good form with 53.
All rounder Woodcock kicked on and remains unbeaten on 139 – his fourth First Class century.
Mason, who is currently second on the overall MVP table, was the best of the Stags attack with three for 36
