Northern Knights star all rounder Kane Williamson hit 192 and took three for 48 to singlehandedly sink the Auckland Aces in three days of their Plunket Shield match at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
Starting the day on 163, Williamson hit another 29 runs to record his highest First Class score and fourth ton in just his 18th match. The young batsman was out in the middle for nearly six hours, hitting 22 boundaries and two sixes.
He was well supported by wicketkeeper batsman Peter McGlashan who struck 44.
The hosts then dismissed the Aces for 188, leaving themselves requiring just six runs to pocket full points on the third afternoon of the four day match.
Tim McIntosh made 39 at the top of the order but all of the other specialists failed with their best score of 57 coming from number 10 batsman Michael Bates.
Graeme Aldridge continued his good form with the ball, ripping the top off the Aces line up to finish with four for 19 off 13 overs.
Williamson, after dominating with the bat, contributed with three wickets to cap an outstanding match.
The runs required were knocked off in just one over with the win extending the Northern Knights stranglehold on the Plunket Shield with 46 points and only two rounds to play. The Auckland Aces are out of the running in last place.
* Image of Northern Knights all rounder, Kane Williamson
Day 1: Northern Knights trail by 191 runs with 8 wickets in hand
The Northern Knights are in complete control after bowling the Auckland Aces out for 227 and then rocketing through to 348 for seven.
Kane Williamson once again starred for the Knights with a resolute 163 not out. The 19 year old hit 18 boundaries and two sixes in his fourth First Class century and may well overtake his highest score of 170 when he resumes tomorrow.
The Marshall twins were the others batsman to register a decent total with James making 10 and Hamish hitting 57.
Wickets were shared between Michael Bates (two for 40), Gareth Shaw (two for 71) and Aranu Kitchen (two for 31).
Peter McGlashan is the other unbeaten batsmen on 25 and will resume tomorrow with Williamson with the competition leaders hoping extend on their 121 run lead.
Day 1: Knights trail by 191 runs with 8 wickets in hand
The Northern Knights put in a clinical display to keep a strong Auckland Aces batting line up to just 227 on day one of their Plunket Shield match at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.
A number of the Auckland Aces got starts but Reece Young was the only player to make a half century.
Opener Jeet Raval went for a duck but Tim McIntosh looked to be continuing his fine form before being run out for 41.
Richard Jones (18) and Aranu Kitchen (32) chipped in with Reece Young’s 50 the mainstay of the innings.
Some late hitting from Colin de Grandhomme helped give the visitors a boost but when he fell for 41 off 39 deliveries the tail folded easily.
All of the Knights bowlers were tidy with Brent Arnel (two for 46), Joseph Yovich (two for 37), Bruce Martin (two for 45) and Kane Williamson (two for 11) all chipping in.
The Aces bowling attack made a bright start, ripping out both openers for just 36 runs.
* Image of Northern Knights all rounder, Joseph Yovich.
