Iain O’Brien claimed 13 wickets as State Wellington Firebirds defeated State Auckland Aces by 145 runs at the Basin Reserve.
O’Brien claimed five for 62 to dismiss the visiting side for 174 in their second innings, and posting the best bowling figures for a Wellington bowler against the Aucklanders.
Resuming on 141 for five, Michael Burns removed David Houpapa (33), Andre Adams and Lance Shaw (both no score) in the day’s second over to record his own best first-class bowling figures of four for 44.
Wicketkeeper Reece Young accumulated 70, but was last man out having been unable to steer the Aces in their chase for an unlikely 320 for victory.
After two low first innings scores, Neal Parlane’s 135 helped Wellington to a second-innings total of 390, despite the injury-enforced absence of Matthew Bell.
O’Brien took three top order wickets to narrow Auckland’s chances, with this triple whammy on the final morning all-but-deciding the contest.
Fellow Test bowler Chris Martin also took nine wickets in the game, with Young making half-centuries in both innings.
