ONE
...round to go, and, number of spots left in the top four that make the Finals series. Canterbury (21 points), the Wellington Firebirds (19 points) and Northern Districts (tied on 15 points, but with three bonus points pushing them through) are all into the playoffs. Remarkably, any of the remaining three teams could join them, the bottom-placed Volts needing to do the most plus hope for minor miracles elsewhere. The Central Stags just need to beat the Auckland Aces, and vice versa so all hell could break loose at Pukekura Park tomorrow.
TEN
Number of List A tons by George Worker after two now in this Ford Trophy. Also the number of runs he needs (with 490 runs at 98.00 already) to become the first batsman to crack 500 this season. With a rain-stymied unbeaten 80 as well in the last four rounds, the Stags opener has galloped past Sean Solia (406 runs at 81.20) as the leading run-maker of the season. His 181 in the latest round was also the highest individual score of the season.
227
The margin of the new biggest win in Ford Trophy history, by runs, after the Stags went huge in that game at Pukekura Park by putting 401 for eight on the board, then strangling ND for 174. It eclipses the 222-run victory margin that the Volts set against ND at Alexandra’s Molyneux Park in 2014/15, which was a big season for epic wins with the Stags also having claimed a 217-run victory over Canterbury at Pukekura.
FOUR
Number of times a side has won by more than 100 runs this season and, remarkably, ND has featured in all four of those matches — twice on the winning side and twice heading back to the shed with tails between legs. They are also the only side to have won by a whopping nine wickets this summer.
FIVE
Number of times that Stags total has ever been exceeded in Ford Trophy cricket. Also the number of those top six tallies that belong to the Stags. Also the spot the Stags occupy on the points table as they make a late dash. For the record, the list is:
• 417/6 Central Stags v ND at Seddon Park, 2012/13
• 410/5 Canterbury v Otago at Aorangi Oval, Timaru 2009/10
• 405/6 Central Stags v Canterbury at Aorangi Oval, Timaru 2014/15
• 405/6 Central Stags v Canterbury at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 2015/16
• 405 Central Stags v Canterbury at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 2014/15
• 401/8 Central Stags v ND at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth 2016/17
184
The value of the stand between Worker and his captain Will Young (above), whose sumptuous 87 may be destined to be overlooked in the Pukekura Park epic. It was a new record second wicket partnership for the Stags against all teams, beating the 172 set by Jamie How and a youngster named Ross Taylor against ND (curiously taking the brunt of a bunch of these records) at Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, in the summer of 2004/05.
290
Canterbury captain Andy Ellis’s outrageous strike rate at Colin Maiden Park as he blasted an unbeaten 29 from 10 balls. The death charge proved all the difference as the Aces went on to fall short by 25.
FOUR
Number of catches by Luke Ronchi as he stepped back in behind the stumps for the Firebirds this season, taking over from Michael Papps, who took over for Tom Blundell. With white ball batting ballistics part of the modern job description and part of the BLACKCAPS’ shopping list, teams having just one keeper has become a rarity this summer.
Three of Luke Ronchi's catches helped Iain McPeake to a career-best four-fa. PHOTOSPORT
26
Number of overs the Firebirds needed to chase down a four-wicket win over the Volts at the Basin. The Southerners will be hoping to put all that behind them quick smart in their final round at home in Dunedin tomorrow, against ND. The Stags meanwhile are looking to go big again against the Aces as Pukekura Park while Canterbury host the Birds at Hagley Oval with the two qualifiers competing for the top spot. All games start at 11am and it’s cricket so remember — anything could happen.
