ROUND 7 of 10
CANTERBURY defeated WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS by 79 runs
- bonus point win -
10 February 2025
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Points: Canterbury 5, Wellington Firebirds 0
All images: PHOTOSPORT
SELECTED MILESTONES
- Matt Boyle : Maiden List A century
- Cole McConchie : Maiden List A century
- Matt Boyle and Cole McConchie : NZ List A fourth-wicket partnership record (226)
- Nick Kelly : 5th List A century (2nd for Wellington Firebirds)
Making a strong case for player of the summer, young star Matt Boyle and Canterbury captain Cole McConchie both raised their bat to maiden one-day centuries and shattered the NZ men's all-time one-day fourth wicket record with a monster double century stand.
The big win extended Canterbury's lead at the top of the table to three points with three rounds to go before the finals, and sets up a big away rematch this Friday against the team that beat them in the Dream11 Super Smash Final just over a week ago - the Central Stags who meanwhile crept up to third.
*
Matt Boyle's standout season continued in all formats, the Canterbury 22-year-old now producing his maiden List A one-day century - a fine 131 off 124 balls - in a monster, national record fourth-wicket stand with his captain, Cole McConchie of 226.
It left his previous one-day best of 47 far behind, and Boyle now has his first hundred in two of the three Domestic formats, having scored his maiden Plunket Shield century before Christmas before going to become the top men's runscorer in the Dream11 Super Smash.
Highest List A 4th wicket partnerships (men) in New Zealand.
— Andrew (@shortflyslip) February 10, 2025
226 MWT Boyle & CE McConchie C v W 2024/25
221 LG Howell & GR Stead C v O 1997/98
221* KS Williamson & TWM Latham NZ v I 2022/23
211 KA Edwards & DJ Bravo WI v NZ 2013/14
McConchie's own maiden century had been an elusive beast, with a previous best of 90 since his 2011/12 debut.
But on his home ground he finally got that bat raise in style, 130 off 131 balls, having carried on after Boyle finally departed.
Both batters reached three figures off exactly 114 balls, and they ensured Canterbury recovered from a rocky start - Firebirds paceman Liam Dudding having taken three early wickets to have the Hagley hosts struggling at 32/3 in the eighth over.
It would be another 36 overs before another wicket fell.
Together, Boyle and McConchie's resolve ensured the competition leader ultimately poured 321/5 onto the scoreboard against the frustrated Firebirds, Canterbury going on to win by a 79-run margin, despite a century in reply from visiting captain Nick Kelly.
Kelly scored 118 off 99 balls in reply | PHOTOSPORT
Kelly had elected to bowl, but the few were spared on Canterbury's day - legspinner Peter Younghusband treated with the most respect, turning in 0/37 off his 10 overs.
Chasing six and a half runs per over from the outset, the Firebirds were 38/3 after barely 10 overs, and needed a similiar sort of magic is they were to stay in the game.
Kelly, batting at five, just couldn't find someone to stay with him, the way Boyle had found McConchie.
He soldiered on through for a lively 118 and was the last to fall with just three balls left in the game, but by then the result had been well secured.
Wickets were shared around the attack with Angus McKenzie enjoying a tidy return, the Firebirds dismissed for 242.
