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Mitchell McClenaghan has wasted no time in proving himself for the Auckland Aces.
The former Central Stags left-arm medium-fast bowler marked his Aces debut by returning the outstanding figures of five for 30 as the Aces completed an easy eight-wicket Ford Trophy one-day victory over the Northern Knights today.
McClenaghan swung the ball about to scythe through the Knights top order, reducing the visitors to 36 for six inside 12 overs before they were eventually dismissed for just 99 in 30.4 overs at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
The Aces, newly crowned domestic Twenty20 champions for the second successive year, never raised a sweat in their chase and reached the modest target for the loss of two wickets in the 17th over.
Anaru Kitchen appreciated the opportunity to express himself, striking an unbeaten 55 off 45 balls in a knock featuring 10 fours and one six.
Earlier, McClenaghan was rewarded for maintaining a tight line as three of his victims fell leg before wicket, among them James Marshall and Brook Hatwell, who departed off successive deliveries.
Only Daryl Mitchell offered any resistance for the Knights, scoring 38 off 62 balls with five fours as wickets tumbled at regular intervals at the other end.
While McClenaghan proved a handful to keep out as he got through seven overs, former international Kyle Mills proved a handful to simply get away as the seamer got through a similar workload and conceded just 14 runs while picking up the wicket of Anton Devcich.
The result left the Aces atop the standings on 19 points and on target to complete a limited overs title double.
