118
Sean Solia’s batting average after his first two games of Ford Trophy cricket for the Auckland Aces. The white hot 24-year-old batsman followed up his mint big century on debut with 84 against the Otago Volts to remain the top run-scorer of the season early doors with 236 runs from two innings.
Hot stuff: Sean Solia with the bat. PHOTOSPORT
THREE
Number of replacement captains in this round, if you count ND’s Dean Brownlie who came in at the start of the season for in-again out-again Daniel Flynn. Peter Fulton was leading the other team in Hamilton with Andrew Ellis having fractured his thumb before the opening round, while Jimmy Neesham made his captaincy debut in all formats for the Volts in Auckland. We doubtless missed out on A1 banter on that front after the Volts lost by 19 runs.
Determined debutant Navin Patel
10.1
Number of overs batted by a majorly determined Navin Patel on List A debut. The Number 10 held out the bowling ilk of Hamish Bennett, Jeetan Patel and Brent Arnel alongside fellow tailender Blair Tickner as they tried to give themselves a bit extra to defend against the Firebirds on a tricky, two-paced deck in Napier. The pair was not out at the end with Nav Patel having survived 37 balls for his unbeaten 19. Unfortunately the Stags’ 212 for nine wouldn’t prove quite enough as the Firebirds chased them down in the 49th over, Nav Patel returning a respectable 0-31 off his first seven overs of Ford Trophy.
FOUR
Number of years between Anurag Verma’s only first-class seven-wicket bag (a stunning 7-82 for Northern Districts at Seddon Park in one of his earliest Plunket Shield matches) and maiden List A five-wicket bag after he claimed 5-44 for the Firebirds at McLean Park. Not a bad effort for someone who doesn’t get to open the bowling. He did, however, get the honour of bowling the last over after that carry-on. Verma is now the equal top wicket-taker with eight from the first two rounds, alongside Lockie Ferguson (Aces) and Anaru Kitchen (Volts). That’s three wickies clear of anybody else.
155
Luke Woodcock’s batting average down the order for the Firebirds after he won the game for them in Napier with his second half ton on the trot. What kind of luxury is it having a dude of Woodcock’s vast experience and clout — a former opening batsman — coming in as backstop in a tricky chase? Come to think of it, we said that in McDonald’s Super Smash. And look what happened there.
TWO
Number of Ford Trophy half centuries from as many games this season by Josh Clarkson after the young bomb-hitter from Nelson went back-to-back down the order for the Stags. Clarkson’s strike rate is 112.19 after two games and he’s the third top run-maker with 138 off 123 balls combined. He turns 20 on Saturday.
123
Number of balls to spare as ND bounced back from a spectacular loss to chalk a spectacular turnaround as they cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Canterbury at Seddon Park. Great watching for the locals topping off FREE entry to see their blokes in The Ford Trophy in Hamilton.
Strong arm: Hamish Bennett
FOUR
Number of victims Firebird Hamish Bennett now needs to hit 100 List A wickets. Shouldn’t take too long judging by the form he has been showing this season.
