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A dazzling 115 run opening partnership between Neil Parlane and Cameron Merchant inspired the Wellington Firebirds to victory over the Central Stags at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.
The Duckworth/Lewis calculated 19 run win was handed to the home side after bad light stopped play with Central on 119 for six in pursuit of Wellington’s formidable 205 for three.
The run chase was lead by Peter Ingram who smashed 55 not out off 30 deliveries before the umpires called it quits.
Firebirds all rounder Paul Hitchcock was responsible for half of the wickets to fall, taking three for 17 in 2.3 overs.
Earlier, Parlane and Merchant took the Stags bowling apart. Parlane was particularly brutal, thumping 69 off off 32 with eight fours and four sixes.
Merchant made 44 with the huge opening stand allowing all following batmen to go from the outset. Owais Shah was next in and hit 27 off 19 followed by James Franklin who made 31 not out off 19 and finally Chris Nevin who struck 24 not out off 15.
Stags spin bowler Kieran Noema-Barnett took two for 13 off two overs while Graeme Napier was the best of the seamers with none for 32.
