ROUND FIVE | DAY ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Henry Cooper and Joe Carter centuries, another big fightback from Rippon & Smith Ltd and a dramatic start to the top-of-the-table clash at the Basin Reserve against the new Kookaburra were all features as the fifth of eight rounds of Plunket Shield got underway today
FIREBIRDS LEADING AT BASIN
Thirteen wickets fell on day one of the capital’s top-of-the-table clash after leaders the Central Stags were sent in at the Basin Reserve, the new model Kookaburra swinging late in the hands of the hosts' pace attack.
Routed for 96 in just 36.4 overs, the Stags’ predicament might have been worse had it not been for resistance from captain and opening stalwart Greg Hay who was the last to fall on 62 — the only man in the innings to reach double figures.
Jimmy Neesham picked up 3-17 off just 9.4 overs while Logan van Beek finished with 3-34 off nine, having got the ball rolling with Iain McPeake (2-16), and none of the attack going home empty-handed.
Stags paceman Blair Tickner immediately struck back by having the hosts 0/2 in the first over of the reply, removing both Fraser Colson and Devon Conway for ducks.
As the afternoon wore on, however, runs began to flow for the Firebirds who will resume at 175 for three well placed to extend their 79-run overnight lead, Rachin Ravindra (76*) and captain Michael Bracewell (58*) both having reached half centuries in an unbroken 95-run stand.
Bonus Points (in progress): Wellington Firebirds 4, Central Stags 1
SMITH & RIPPON TO THE RESCUE AGAIN
Earlier this summer Nathan Smith and Michael Rippon set a new Otago Volts first-class record for the seventh wicket with a 190-stand against ND in Dunedin.
Today they joined forces again for a 142-stand against Canterbury in Invercargill to dig their side out of a ditch at 96 for six — and this after captain Jacob Duffy had elected to bat.
Smith departed at 238/7, both men top-scoring with 78 after Canterbury’s strikemen Matt Henry (4-88) and Fraser Sheat (3-50) had helped get their hosts in a large spot of bother, six down by lunchtime.
Canterbury have reached 20/1 in reply, Chad Bowes regretting shouldering ams to Duffy just before stumps with the Volts’ first-innings lead 267 heading into tomorrow’s day two at Queen’s Park.
Bonus Points (in progress): Otago Volts 2, Canterbury 4
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR ACES
Despite two early strikes to Ace of pace Lockie Ferguson, twin centuries to Henry Cooper and Joe Carter spelt a very good day out for Northern Districts at Eden Park Outer Oval.
The Plunket Shield cellar-dwellers are looking to fight their way back through the back end of the season and will resume tomorrow on 303 for four after having been sent in.
Cooper’s 111 was his second first-class century this season and fourth of his career while captain Carter’s unbeaten 116* when bad light ended play was the third hundred of his Plunket Shield career.
Bonus Points (in progress): Auckland Aces 1, ND 3
JOE CARTER
Play resumes (weather permitting) at 10.30am tomorrow
with free admission at all venues and livescoring with video highlights at www.nzc.nz
At a glance
Points before Round 5 (March 1-4 2020)
Central Stags 48
Wellington Firebirds 47
Canterbury 36
Auckland Aces 34
Otago Volts 19
Northern Districts 18
