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The 1st round of Plunket Shield fixtures got underway with Northern Districts dominating Otago with the ball, the Firebirds' decent day out and the Stags' Hay’s ruthless run-fest.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS VERSUS OTAGO VOLTS
END OF DAY: Volts all out for 267 (83.5) thanks to Kuggeleijn 6-for, despite Max Chu’s 80 (180).
Jeet Raval’s decision to bowl first at an overcast Seddon Park was undoubtedly the right choice.
Kuggelijin was deadly for the Northern Districts up front. Openers Luke Georgeson and Jacob Cumming never truly troubled the scorers. Dean Foxcroft picked up quick runs before edging one to keeper Ben Pomare.
Dale Phillips reacted destructively, scoring 32 off 48 before Kuggeligin picked up his 3rd wicket of the innings. Jamal Todd had an unfortunate start to his first-class career, recording a 3-ball duck as he was deemed LBW.
Max Chu (80 off 180) and Ben Lockrose (40 off 82) put up an 84-run partnership following Thom Parkes' departure that left the Volts 120-6.
The pair took Otago to 204-7 before Lockrose chipped the ball to Jeet Patel at short leg.
Matt Bacon played a small cameo at the back end, but Chu’s departure marked Kuggelijn’s 5th wicket of the innings, which was all but over.
The Volts reached 267 all-out, with Kuggelijn’s 6-wicket haul playing an instrumental role.
Brett Hampton, Kristian Clarke and Neil Wagner all snagged a wicket each.
There were still ten overs left in the day for Otago to bowl, with Jacob Duffy putting in an impressive shift that saw opener Henry Cooper caught out by Jacob Cumming in the slips.
Raval and Joe Walker saw the close of play, with Northern Districts 21-1 after 10.
Northern Districts XI: Jeet Raval ©, Henry Cooper, Sandeep Patel, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Ben Pomare (WK), Scott Kuggelijn, Brett Hampton, Kristian Clarke, Neil Wagner, Joe Walker. (12th: Matt Fisher)
Otago Volts XI: Matt Bacon, Max Chu (WK, VC), Jacob Cumming, Dean Foxcroft, Luke Georgeson, Ben Lockrose, Jarrod McKay, Thorn Parkes, Dale Phillips, Jamal Todd (FC Debut). (12th: Jake Gibson)
AUCKLAND ACES VERSUS CENTRAL STAGS
END OF DAY: Stags 276-2 with Greg Hay’s 115 and Brad Schmulian’s 86. Robbie O’Donnell and Danru Ferns the only wicket-takers for Aces.
Defending champions Central Stags set the tone on the first day of the Plunket Shield in style.
Sent in to bat first, Jack Boyle and Greg Hay were trouble to the bowlers early on. Danru Ferns made the breakthrough for Auckland, seeing the end of Boyle for a well-made 36 (93), but that would be the only good sign for the Aces in some time,
Brad Schmulian had been plying his trade in the Yorkshire Club Cricket ranks in the off-season, clearly keeping the form to wrack up a 143-run partnership alongside Hay.
Auckland skipper O’Donnell’s neat caught and bowled saw the end of Schmulian for 86 from 137, with 10 fours in his stay at the crease.
Tom Bruce took the Stags to the close of play with Hay - who by then had made his 100 off 235 deliveries.
Centrals go into Day 2 on 276-2.
Auckland Aces XI: Will O’Donnell, Sean Solia, Quinn Sunde, Robbie O’Donnell ©, George Worker, Cam Fletcher (WK), Finn Allen, Simon Keene, Adi Ashok, Ben Lister. (12th: Ryan Harrison).
Central Stags XI: Greg Hay ©, Jack Boyle, Brad Schmulian, Tom Bruce, Dane Cleaver (WK), Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, Brett Randell, Ajaz Patel, Blair Ticker, Ray Toole. (12th: Curtis Heaphy).
WELLINGTON FIREBIRDS VERSUS CANTERBURY
END OF PLAY: Wellington on 306-7 (96). 2 wicket hauls for Fraser Sheat, Michael Rippon and Michael Rae; 50+ scores for Nick Greenwood, Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas.
It was an exciting day's play at the Basin Reserve, Wellington with wickets and runs aplenty promising for an evenly-matched fixture.
Canterbury captain Cole McConchie sent the Wellingtonians into bat first. Jersey’s Nick Greenwood led from the front with a classy knock of 73 (130), though was trapped LBW by Rae in the 42nd over.
Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas were key in support, both putting up 50s at a similar rate before falling to the hands of Zak Foulkes and Michael Rippon respectively.
Nathan Smith came agonisingly close to the same milestone, falling a run short after slicing one to Angus McKenzie in the deep.
Ben Sears and Peter Younghusband saw to the end of the day with Wellington putting up 306-7 (96), from where they will resume tomorrow.
Canterbury XI: Zak Foulkes, Dylan Hunter (FC Debut), Cole McConchie ©, Leo Carter, Matt Boyle, Mitch Hay (WK), Michael Rippon, Angus McKenzie, Fraser Sheat, Michael Rae, Ed Nuttall. (12th: Ben Russell)
Wellington Firebirds XI: Troy Johnson, Nick Greenwood, Gareth Severin, Nick Kelly ©, Muhammad Abbas, Callum McLachlan (WK), Nathan Smith, Peter Younghusband, Ben Sears, Michael Snedden, James Hartshorn. (12th: Tim Robinson)
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