NZCT National Club Cricket Championship 2019
Cornwall Cricket Club, Auckland
2-7 April 2019
ROUND TWO
St Albans defeated Parnell by 110 runs
St Albans remain unbeaten after two rounds while luckless Parnell is heading back to the drawing board after falling 110 runs short in their run chase on the number one ground.
Canterbury’s Saints again won the toss and batted out their full allottment to post 256 for six against the Auckland side.
It wasn’t without early struggles. Opening batsman Dan Sharples lost three partners inside the opening 10-over powerplay, Parnell’s slippery Ollie Pringle going on to 3-53 off his 10.
Sharples would reach his half century by drinks at almost run-a-ball pace, but perished two balls later. The next pair of Robbie Polson and Ben Langrope made things tough going for the Parnell attack, however, piling on a 90-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Strike man Ollie Pringle
Langrope had just registered his half century when Anikhet Parikh lifted his team’s chins by breaking the partnership at 169 for five in the 38th over.
However, Polson remained almost until the last for his 82, seeing off a short rain break on 65*, capitalising on the team’s platform, and enjoying a late stand with Jack Harper who added a quick unbeaten 33.
Parnell got off to a undesirable start in their reply, losing both opening batsmen with just four runs on the board, Reid Gibbens (3-21) coming into his first match at the tournament and claiming them both in his first three overs.
Andy Lane (caught and bowled by Matt Holstein, above, on 36) and Ben Horne started again but at 64 for four — then 66 for six with the quick departure of Pringle — things weren’t looking too good for the Aucklanders.
Jack Harper had struck twice, and despite a positive 45 from Parikh who hit back-to-back sixes off Langrope (the second of them a no-ball to boot) amid 21 off the over, the “Peaches” from Parnell couldn’t get close, bowled out for 146 inside 37 overs.
They’ll be hoping for third time lucky tomorrow against Greerton on the number two ground while St Albans will meet one of the other two unbeaten sides, defending champions Napier Tech Old Boys, on the number three. All matches are free admission and live-scored from 10am at nzc.nz
