ROUND THREE OF EIGHT
WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS lost to AUCKLAND ACES by 9 wickets with a day to spare
Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
5-8 November 2022
Toss: Aces who bowled
First innings points (completed):
Wellington Firebirds 0 batting, 3 bowling
Auckland Aces: 4 bowling, 2 batting
Total points this round: Wellington Firebirds 3, Auckland Aces 18
DAY THREE
It was mission accomplished for defending Plunket Shield champions the Auckland Aces.
Under plenty of mental pressure after two hard losses in the first two rounds of 2022/23, this time they got it right with a comprehensive victory with a day to spare over the Wellington Firebirds - who meanwhile slipped down the ladder from the leading group.
The Aces were set a second innings chase of just seven runs in the final session of the third day, after having rolled the Firebirds for a second innings total of just 132 in 51.4 overs.
Will Somerville catches Adam Leonard | PHOTOSPORT
With the Aces having reached 324 in their own innings thanks to the doughty application of the previous day, captain Robbie O'Donnell could finally allow himself to relax.
Just four bowlers had been required to bowl the Firebirds out, and they were all amongst the wickets.
Returning for his first match of the season, after an illness on the New Zealand A tour of India, big left-armer Ben Lister had a field day for a haul of 4-34, ripping out the top order with a little help from his friend Simon Keene.
Danru Ferns (2-39) got the big wicket of Tom Blundell at 95/5 in the 31st over and then it was backs against the wall for the Firebirds as he removed Jakob Bhula for a golden next ball.
Nick Kelly had been battling away at the other end, but now Will Somerville got in on the action as he mopped up the tail, the tall spinner finishing with 3-29 off his 14.4 overs.
There was a consolation wicket for Hartshorn in the short final innings, but no stopping the visitors from collecting a satisfying nine-wicket win. They were back.
DAY TWO
The Auckland Aces will head into moving-day morning holding a 61-run first innings lead with three wickets in hand.
Patient accumulation was the order of the day for the visitors as they knuckled down on the traditional result wicket.
All images | PHOTOSPORT
Opener Sean Solia (43) batted for four hours; Cole Briggs (18) for almost two hours.
George Worker, the former opener down at five, enjoyed his newfound freedom and picked up the pace for just over two hours for his 44, including a thumping six back over spinner Rachin Ravindra's head.
He anchored an important sixth-wicket stand with Ben Horne who top-scored with 79 off 159 balls.
Horne kept it going after Michael Snedden finally prised them apart with his thid wicket of the day, and fell just a handful of overs before stumps.
The Firebirds enjoyed a late rally with Iain McPeake dismissing Ryan Harrison in the very next over to have the Aces heading in at 259/7.
DAY ONE
Another fast-moving early season match was on the cards in Wellington as the Auckland Aces came to town urgently seeking points.
New Zealand's defending Plunket Shield champions had endured a winless start to their defence with two heavy losses in their first two rounds at home, and now sought to trump the Wellington Firebirds in their first away fixture.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Simon Keene | All images PHOTOSPORT
The Firebirds were coming off a heavy loss of their own, albeit with enough points to remain one of the early trio of joint leaders. But losing the toss on the first morning will have put a wee shiver through captain Tom Blundell's spine, far more so than any breezy conditions.
By lunch, the Aces had winkled out two wickets, both Firebirds openers gone but the hosts had otherwise negotiated proceedings for a fair start at 69/2.
That was about to be turned upside down in a costly middle session. By tea, the Firebirds would be reeling again at 148/6.
Captain Blundell's fighting half century (above) helped his ship avoid another hole in its hull, but apart from his 46, Troy Johnson's 42 was the only other score of note as the hosts folded for 198 in 78.4 overs.
Opposing skipper Robbie O'Donnell meanwhile had whooped with delight as he took a rare first-class wicket with a ripper of a delivery to remove Johnson.
Danru Ferns, Simon Keene and Will Somerville all picked up a brace before the Aces' opening pair safely negotiated the 15 overs remaining in the day to be 27 without loss heading into Day Two.
