BJ tees off as Aces start strong

Posted Sunday, 26 October, 2025 in Match Reports

Adi Ashok's debut as Auckland Aces captain got off to a flier thanks to his tight bowling unit, and later, some trademark big hitting from exciting batter Bevon Jacobs.

Images: PHOTOSPORT

The first part of that statement saw the Aces needing to chase down only 169, after bowling out Northern Districts with 3.2 overs to spare.

Northern had arrived with a good side that included the return from a year-long injury layoff of tall spinner Tim Pringle, and the first-time inclusion of young Hamilton batter Xavier Bell whose long-predicted ascension to the team starts with the one-day format a couple of months after turning 19.

Missing was veteran Jeet Raval, former Aces skipper Robbie O'Donnell captaining the ND men against his former team - and losing the toss, Ashok sending them in.

Bell got his Domestic career underway first ball of the innings, cutting confidently to the boundary off Jock McKenzie (below, PHOTOSPORT). But that didn't last long.

It was a good day out for the McKenzie family with Jock (brother of Canterbury's Angus who was meanwhile taking wickets in Christchurch) snaffling 3/26 at the top.

McKenzie struck in each of his next overs in the power play to have ND 14/2. A great dive from keeper Cam Fletcher had ended Bell's maiden knock, and the quick loss of last season's powerhouse, Brett Hampton, was a bonus.

O'Donnell joined forces with Joe Carter for the next few overs and he popped the first six of the day over the rope, off Jimmy Neesham who was marking his 150th List A appearance (all teams).

A battle between experienced practitioners. Things were settling until the 19th over when seamer Ryan Harrison pushed O'Donnell back and collected an edge along the way for a wicket maiden at 72/3.

Carter had reached 37* by this stage and he went on to top-score for ND with their sole half century, a circumspect 53.

The problem for Northern was the untimely loss of wickets, including Carter's after a promising stand with Kristian Clarke - the only other norteworthy contributor with a knock of 37 not out off 44 balls.

None of the Aces' attack had gone for more that five runs an over, which tells the story of the home side simply seizing control. Ashok picked up a handy two-for, as did Harrison and allrounder Simon Keene.

Northern was all out in the 47th over and few punters would have fancied their chances of defending 168 on Eden Park's second ground.

Still, an initial flurry of wickets for the ND seam attack gave Northern a faint sniff of hope in reply.

Auckland's top three were all on List A debut for the team - Dale Phillips, Sid Dixit, Harrish Kannan - but they were all back in the changing room after 10 overs at 37/3.

Scott Kuggeleijn had struck twice in the third over; Zak Gibson zeroed in on Kannan's top of off in the tenth.

Hampton sent Neesham back to the sheds as well but from that point the Aces took over again.

Dashing striker Jacobs caned an unbeaten 67 for the Aucklanders, including seven sixes, in just 45 balls to ultimately make short work of a six-wicket victory.

His ballistics also resulted in a quick, unbroken century stand with Cam Fletcher (34*) as the Aces - last season's runner-up - pocketed the bonus point.