The Auckland Aces have booked the last remaining spot in the 2018 Ford Trophy Grand Final after Jeet Raval's second List A century (149 off 153 balls, 10 x 4, 4 x 6) set up 107-run victory against defending champions Canterbury in today's sudden death Elimination Final at Auckland's Colin Maiden Park.
Jeet Raval batted 38 overs for his match-winning 149. PHOTOSPORT
The Aces now have a shot at collecting the $60,000 prize that accompanies the national one-day title (with a $15,000 consolation prize for the team that finishes runner-up) and will head to the Central Stags' fortress of Pukekura Park for Saturday's televised Grand Final looking to reverse their fortunes at the same ground in the 1v2 Semi-Final on the weekend.
The faces say it all as the defending champions exit this year's competition. MButcher/NZC
Auckland Aces captain Craig Cachopa had won the toss and opted to bat first in a match that was twice interrupted by brief showers, poised opener Raval batting for all but two overs of the Aces' innings for his new domestic one-day career best.
He had support from Sean Solia (28), his skipper Cachopa (37) and a returning Robbie O'Donnell (40) as the Aces posted a solid 304 for six, a total that required a run-a-ball chase of Canterbury.
He had support from Sean Solia (28), his skipper Cachopa (37) and a returning Robbie O'Donnell (40) as the Aces posted a solid 304 for six, a total that required a run-a-ball chase of Canterbury.
Sean Solia. PHOTOSPORT
The defending champions made a promising start, openers Michael Pollard and Michael Davidson putting on a brisk 69 for the first wicket. However, relative Aces pace newcomer Jamie Brown struck a big blow when a scoreless Henry Nicholls mistimed him to send up a big edge for keeper Ben Horne.
After golden arm Glenn Phillips (above) accounted for Tom Latham (29), Canterbury still posed a threat with the experienced pair of Todd Astle and Ellis fighting for the fifth wicket.
The entrance of veteran legspinner Tarun Nethula in the 20th over slowed the scoring rate, however, and Nethula would claim both their vital wickets before finishing off the match with another quick brace for figures of 4-43.
Raval's century today was his first in Auckland Aces colours, his only other Ford Trophy/List A hundred having been a maiden effort alongside Jamie How in his days representing the Central Stags, a match which broke multiple Ford Trophy records.
THE FORD TROPHY Grand Final
SATURDAY 24 February 11am
Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
Central Stags v Auckland Aces
LIVE on SKY Sport
