ROUND TWO OF EIGHT
WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS lost to CANTERBURY by 290 runs with a day to spare
Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
26-28 October, 2022
First innings points:
Wellington Firebirds 4
Canterbury: 4
TOTAL POINTS this round: Wellington Firebirds 4, Canterbury 16
Selected Milestones
Tom Latham - 24th first-class century
Sean Davey - 2nd five-wicket bag
Iain McPeake - 50th first-class match
Chad Bowes - 50th first-class match for Canterbury
Cole McConchie - 50th first-class match for Canterbury
Angus McKenzie - Canterbury debut
Michael Snedden - career best bowling (4-24)
DAY THREE
Canterbury and the Wellington Firebirds are now on equal points at the top of the Plunket Shield ladder (subject to change, with the Volts-ND match still in progress at time of writing) after Canterbury defeated the Firebirds at the Cello Basin Reserve.
That fact will provide scant consolation to the Wellington team as they lick their wounds from a bruising loss.
Dismissed in their first innings for just 80, it was déjà vu as the Firebirds were rolled again in the second innings for 87... setting a new record for the lowest match aggregate in more than a century of Plunket Shield matches.
The Plunket Shield began in the 1906/07 season, and today's aggregate of 167 across the two innings was Wellington's lowest first-class aggregate since December 1887 versus Nelson - the days of uncovered pitches; and Wellington's 3rd lowest aggregate in their overall first-class history which predates the Plunket Shield.
Along with the Central Stags, Canterbury remains unbeaten after two rounds following their 290-run victory, leader of the attack, BLACKCAP Matt Henry finishing with another impressive performance this season of 4-48.
Sean Davey (a bag in the first innings and 2-25 today) finished with a match analysis of 7-48, while tall, challenging 21-year-old Will O'Rourke made the initial breakthroughs in the morning with a double wicket maiden that crucially removed Rachin Ravindra and Nick Kelly in the space of four balls to set the wickets tumbling.
DAY TWO
In a fast-moving match, Tom Latham's second big century in as many matches ensured Canterbury powered up in their second innings to put real heat on the Wellington Firebirds.
Canterbury captain Cole McConchie, in his 50th cap match, was able to declare his second innings at 334/8 - setting the Firebirds a steep target of 377 for victory.
Relentless senior batsman Latham had again led the way for the team with an unbeaten 143*, following on from his opening-round 167 last week in Nelson.
Latham had solid support from Henry Nicholls (54), Leo Carter (42), and Gus McKenzie on Canterbury debut (producing 40 down the order) and, by stumps, Canterbury's bowlers had picked up two quick wickets with Matt Henry and Sean Davey both striking early.
The Firebirds will resume the third day at 9/2 with nightwatchman Iain McPeake at the crease, still needing 369 runs with eight wickets in hand.
DAY ONE
The changing room doors barely stopped swinging at the Cello Basin Reserve as a remarkable 20 wickets fell on a single day.
Hosts and early Plunket Shield leaders the Wellington Firebirds had won the toss, and dismissed Canterbury for just 80 in 56.1 overs after a career-best 4-24 from Michael Snedden.
However, the boot was quickly on the other foot after tea, the Firebirds dismissed in a single session for just 80.
Sean Davey claimed a five-wicket bag for Canterbury, finishing with 5-23 and supported by three wickets from Matt Henry, and a brace for Will O'Rourke.
All eyes will be on the morning session in Day Two when Canterbury will need to capitalise on a 43-run first innings lead.
