Josh Brodie’s stocks rose further as he helped steer Wellington to a five-wicket Plunket Shield victory over Canterbury at Rangiora today.
The 24-year-old left-handed opener’s third first-class century paved the way for the Firebirds to pass their 278-run target during the fourth and final afternoon at Rangiora.
Brodie, who resumed this morning on 33 with Wellington at 61 for one, went on to score a vital 116 and enjoyed two profitable partnerships with overnight partner Stephen Murdoch then recalled Black Caps international Jesse Ryder.
He and Murdoch put on 117 for the second wicket before Murdoch departed for 43 when legspinner Todd Astle had him caught by Henry Nicholls.
Ryder then entered the fray to produce a second quickfire half-century for the match, this time 82 off 63 balls, which took his team to the brink of their target.
He and Brodie shared a stand of 103 in 97 minutes before Brodie’s fine innings ended after 10 fours and two sixes in 234 minutes when he was caught by Logan van Beek off Astle.
Grant Elliott came and went then Ryder’s stay ended with 10 fours and four sixes before Luke Woodcock and Harry Boam were left to knock off the few runs required.
Astle was the most successful of the Wizards bowlers but suffered some punishment at the hands of Ryder as he finished with the figures of three for 116 off 24 overs.
