Devon Hotel Central Stags 159 all out and 333 all out (Ben Smith 89, Will Young (87, Matt Quinn 4-66) beat Mondiale Auckland Aces 119-9 declared and 130-9 (Tarun Nethula 39, Doug Bracewell 3-25, Ben Wheeler 3-41) by 245 runs at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.
The Devon Hotel Central Stags have roared to the top of the Plunket Shield table after a complete performance at Eden Park Outer Oval.
With rain wiping out much of day three, the Stags found the formula to batting on this wicket that eluded both teams in their first turns at bat, adding 74 to their overnight score to finish on 333, Matt Quinn taking 4-66.
In reply, the Aces needed 376 to win, but with Doug Bracewell (3-25) and Ben Wheeler (3-41) in form, it was always going to be difficult.
The Aces collapsed from 3-61, when Colin Munro was bowled by Bracewell, to 7-67 when Robbie O’Donnell on first-class debut was caught lbw by the same bowler.
Their innings lasted only until the 44th over, with ex-Stag Tarun Nethula (38) top scoring to inflate the total to 130, reflective of the Stags dominance, in long-time servant Jamie How’s last first-class match.
Dean Bartlett’s hand injury meant he could not take the crease,
The Aces drop to third on the log after wins in their first two matches, while the Stags are second on net run rate, tied with the Knights on 40 points.
DAY TWO: Devon Hotel Central Stags 159 all out and 259-6 (Ben Smith 89, Will Young 87, Matt Quinn 2-42) lead Mondiale Auckland Aces 117-9 declared by 301 runs at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.
The batsmen wrestled a little control back from the bowlers on day two at Eden Park’s outer oval, with the Devon Hotel Central Stags batsmen getting in to their work to build a big lead by the end of the day.
The Mondiale Auckland Aces Dean Bartlett retired hurt without scoring with a hand injury, meaning Matt Quinn’s wicket for one run was the last of the innings.
The Stags lost Jamie How for ten and George Worker for a duck within the first four overs, before Ben Smith and Will Young came together. The pair dug in on a brilliantly fine Auckland day to make 146 together and give their side the lead.
Young showed great patience and was content to score in ones rather than by hitting out, before going to Donovan Grobbelaar, caught by keeper Brad Cachopa for 87 from 171 balls, while Ben Smith was bowled by Carl Cachopa for 89 from 195 balls.
At the close, Kruger van Wyk was not out 18, with Ben Wheeler on none from two balls, as the new ball claimed Doug Bracewell for 21.
The Stags will be keen to get out and extend their lead on day three, with rain in the forecast.
DAY TWO: Devon Hotel Central Stags 159 all out and 259-6 (Ben Smith 89, Wil Young 87, Matt Quinn 2-42) lead Mondiale Auckland Aces 117-9 declared by 301 runs at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland.
The batsmen wrestled a little control back from the bowlers on day two at Eden Park’s outer oval, with the Devon Hotel Central Stags batsmen getting in to their work to build a big lead by the end of the day.
The Mondiale Auckland Aces Dean Bartlett retired hurt without scoring with a hand injury, meaning Matt Quinn’s wicket for one run was the last of the innings.
The Stags lost Jamie How for ten and George Worker for a duck within the first four overs, before Ben Smith and Will Young came together. The pair dug in on a brilliantly fine Auckland day to make 146 together and give their side the lead.
Young showed great patience and was content to score in ones rather than by hitting out, before going to Donovan Grobbelaar, caught by keeper Brad Cachopa for 87 from 171 balls, while Ben Smith was bowled by Carl Cachopa for 89 from 195 balls.
At the close, Kruger van Wyk was not out 18, with Ben Wheeler on none from two balls, as the new ball claimed Doug Bracewell for 21.
The Stags will be keen to get out and extend their lead on day three, with rain in the forecast.
DAY ONE: Devon Hotel Central Stags 159 all out in 44.4 overs (Matt Quinn 4-41, Michael Bates 3-50, Jamie How 38) lead Mondiale Auckland Aces 116-8 (Doug Bracewell 3-47, Kieran Noema-Barnett 2-19) by 43 runs at Eden Park #2.
It was a busy day for the scorers at Eden Park number two with 18 wickets falling on day one. While the pitch appeared to hold no demons, the murky air got the ball swinging, with Matt Quinn (4-41), Michael Bates (3-50) and Doug Bracewell (3-47) the beneficiaries.
This game is advanced, and with brighter conditions in Auckland today, one team will need to get to grips with conditions to finally get on the front foot.
The day started with not a hint of the carnage to come, with the Stags making 52 for the first wicket, before losing Jamie How for 38 (from 35 balls), then George Worker two balls later for a two-ball duck.
From 52-0, the Aces lost the next nine wickets for 70 runs. Matt Quinn and Michael Bates were hitting the right areas, but an attacking mindset did not do the trick for the Stags batsmen. Ajaz Patel (15) and Andrew Mathieson (22) helped get the Stags over 150 with a final wicket stand of 37.
It was a similar story when the Aces came out to bat – only Colin Munro and Rob Nicol got decent starts in the middle order, but in contrasting style. Munro took 35 from his 22 balls before falling to Kieran Noema-Barnett, caught by Doug Bracewell, while Nicol was rewarded for a far more patient approach by ending the day 35* from 110 balls.
