The Otago Volts glided to a five wicket win over the Auckland Aces thanks to a superb 152 not out by Neil Broom in the Plunket Shield match at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland.
Otago registered their second outright points to improve from fourth to second on the standings, leaving last years champions Auckland languishing in last place with no points through five rounds.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing with Otago losing four late wickets yesterday with the match in the balance at 188 for five at the start of the play but Broom and Leighton Morgan comfortably knocked off the 126 runs required today.
Broom’s struck 22 boundaries and a six in his third century this season and is now averaging over 109 for the year.
Morgan, who usually opens the batting but came into bat at number seven due to illness, was not out on 71, sharing an unbeaten 162 run partnership for the sixth wicket with Broom.
Auckland paid the price for inconsistent batting, scoring 229 in the first innings to concede a 41 run advantage. They collapsed yesterday to be all out for 354 after being unable to capitise on a ton from Jeet Ravel and half centuries from Gareth Hopkins and Reece Young.
Otago pace bowler Warren McSkimming was outstanding, taking five wickets in the first innings and four in the second to finish with 79 for nine.
Day 3: Otago Volts require 126 runs to win with 5 wickets in hand
Young Auckland batting talent Jeet Ravel took his overnight score of 99 through to 134 this morning in a sparkling innings that included 23 boundaries. It is Ravel’s second century in only six matches after debuting last year with 256.
Captain Gareth Hopkins (70) and Reece Young (55) both notched up half centuries, taking the Auckland total through to 354 and setting Otago the stiff challenge of chasing 313 for victory.
Otago stalwart Warren McSkimming was once again the best of the bowling attack taking four for 62 to go with his five wickets in the first innings.
In Reply, the Volts have been positive, collecting runs at over four an over but have lost five wickets in the process.
Craig Cumming set a platform at the top of the innings with 59 off 79 but Greg Todd and Shaun Haig both failed.
Inform batsman Neil Broom who is unbeaten on 86 holds the key for Otago, who still require 126 runs tomorrow. Broom will resume with Leighton Morgan who is 17 not out.
Day 2: Auckland Aces lead the Otago Volts by 147 runs with 8 wickets in hand
The Otago Volts tail wagged to see them secure first innings points in on day two against the Auckland Aces at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
At 90 for six a lead looked unlikely but 42 from number eight batsman Neil Wagner and then the same score from number nine Nick Beard saw them past the total.
The innings was anchored by Greg Todd who batted for nearly five hours for his unbeaten 78.
Michael Bates was the stand out performer with the ball taking career best figures of five for 83.
The Aces have made a positive start to their second innings with young opener Jeet Ravel unbeaten on 99. He will resume tomorrow with Gareth Hopkins who has 22 not out with the score at 188 for two.
Day 1: Otago Volts 100 for six, trail Auckland Aces by 129
It was a day for the bowlers as 16 wickets fell on the first day of the Plunket Shield match between the Otago Volts and Auckland Aces at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
Warren McKimming tore through the Auckland top order taking five of the first six wickets to reduce the home side to 67 for six.
A 70 run partnership for the seventh wicket between Andrew de Boorder and Tarun Nethula breathed life into the Auckland innings, edging them back into the match.
Number 11 batsman Pieter Erasmus came to the wicket at 136 for nine and blasted 60 off 50 balls and along with de Booder propelled the total through to 229.
De Boorder was the unbeaten batsman on 77.
McSkimming finished with the outstanding figures of five for 17 off 11 overs with Mathew Harvie chipping in with three for 45.
Otago found batting just as difficult when they came out, losing their first five wickets for 49 runs.
Greg Todd is holding the innings together with an unbeaten 24 and will resume tomorrow with the team on 100 for six.
Michael Bates did the damage with the ball taking three for 26.
