Firebirds triumph after Elliot hundred

Grant Elliot’s maiden One-Day hundred earned State Wellington Firebirds a final ball State Shield victory over State Canterbury Wizards at QEII Park.

Shanan Stewart maintained his batting form with 73 as Canterbury posted 248 for eight from their 50 overs, batting first.

But Elliot outscored the Canterbury opener, making an unbeaten 106 having taken the catch to remove the Wizards’ top scorer and claimed two wickets.

A tidy 17 by Duwayne Bowden helped Elliot complete the win, putting on an unbroken match-winning stand of 43 from 32 balls.

Stewart and Iain Robertson (39) put on 91 for second wicket, after Michael Papps’ early dismissal, for four in the fourth over.

All-rounders Andrew Ellis (46) and Chris Harris (39 not out) provided useful middle-order contributions, but the home team’s batting slowed as the wickets fell.

Elliot took two for 66, while Jesse Ryder was the most dangerous of the Wellington bowling with three for 58.

Leighton Burtt removed Matthew Bell first ball, but Chris Nevin (43) and Elliot rescued Wellington from a precarious position at 37 for four with a 68-run stand.

Elliot then pushed on for his first century in New Zealand One-Day cricket, supported by Stu Mills (23), Luke Woodcock (20) and Bowden.