ROUND SIX
AUCKLAND ACES beat WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS by five wickets
15 December 2020
Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland
SELECTED MILESTONES
- Debut as NZC Match Referee for Gary Troup
- Andrew Fletcher reached 1000 List A runs when he passed 19
- Record 5th wicket partnership for Wellington v Auckland (124 by Colson/Johnson - previously 101 by DR Brown/RG Petrie at Wellington, 1995/96)
- Fraser Colson was Ben Horne's 50th List A dismissal
- Highest List A score for Troy Johnson (previously 80*)
- Record 6th wicket partnership for Wellington v Auckland (99 by Johnson/Gibson - previously 82 by JD Ryder/SM Mills at Wellington, 2006/07)
- Highest List A score by Jamie Gibson (previously out for 64)
- Highest List A score for Will O'Donnell (previously 85)
- Record 3rd wicket partnership for Auckland v Wellington (132 by WT O'Donnell/RR O'Donnell - previously 109 by L Vincent/GJ Hopkins at Wellington, 2010/11)
Twenty-three-year-old Will O'Donnell entered this match at Eden Park Outer Oval in hot form, having scored four half centuries in a row. He walked off with his maiden century in his 14th attempt for the Auckland Aces.
The hosts had been desperate to reignite their campaign, in danger of running out of time to keep their slim dreams of a title defence alive.
Left-armer Ben Lister and Ollie Pringle ensured they got a fierce start with the ball, Pringle picking up his maiden List A wicket and carrying on for 3-70.
However, the Wellington Firebirds fought back with number five Troy Johnson (113 off 116 balls) celebrating his own maiden hundred — as well as sharing a new fifth-wicket record for his side in games against Auckland of 124, alongside stand-in captain Fraser Colson (45*).
That first hundred feeling! 💯#WEAREWELLINGTON pic.twitter.com/zPSvUuXMS1
— Cricket Wellington (@cricketwgtninc) December 15, 2020
They had bettered the previous mark of 101 between the teams, set in 1995/96.
After Pringle prised them apart, Johnson remarkably formed a second record stand between the two sides, this time putting on 99 for the sixth alongside bullish allrounder Jamie Gibson who smoked 64 not out off 38 as the Firebirds got through to a total of 283/6 with their big burst at the finish.
The Aces' reply was dominated by the O'Donnell siblings Will and Robbie who combined in a record third-wicket stand of 132 in matches between the Aces and Firebirds, breaking a mark of 109 that had been set by Lou Vincent and Gareth Hopkins in 2010/11.
One game, so much statchat.
It was a special moment when Will O’Donnell ticked off his maiden List A century whilst batting with his brother, the younger O’Donnell en route to 106 off 120 balls while his big brother reached his ninth List A half century.
But after they had both departed, the chase remained in the balance until some Ben Horne finishing and big hitting against the death bowlers finished the game in the 48th over.
Points after Round 6
Northern Districts 22 (points this round: 5)
Canterbury 18 (0)
Otago Volts 12 (0)
Wellington Firebirds 10 (0)
Auckland Aces 9 (4)
Central Stags 7 (5)
