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A maiden ton to Auckland’s Michael Scladers was the highlight of Round Three Ford Trophy action, with the weather causing havoc elsewhere.
Canterbury vs Northern Districts
By Vincent Jones
The fixture at Hagley Oval in Christchurch was called off at 12:42pm due to prolonged rain.
Both sides would’ve been looking to carry on winning momentum; however, the rain ruined their hopes.
Canterbury stays top of the table with 12 points and a net run rate of 4.2, whilst Northern Districts sit in fourth with six points to their name and a net run rate of -1.78.
Northern will host Wellington at Seddon Park whilst Canterbury travel to Mount Maunganui to face Auckland, both fixtures are on Wednesday.
Wellington Firebirds vs Central Districts
By Vincent Jones
Central were going into the fixture being the only unbeaten team in the competition, whilst Wellington had defeated Auckland in their previous fixture.
The hosts were bolstered by the return of Logan van Beek, Adam Milne, and Michael Bracewell, while Central came into the match unchanged from their previous two fixtures.
There was early success for the Wellington bowlers, with Brad Schmulian falling to Milne in the fourth over. The visitors managed to make it through the remainder of the powerplay without losing any more wickets as Jack Boyle and Curtis Heaphy looked to get their side to a solid total.
Not long after Schmulian’s dismissal, the players went off for rain, and the match was reduced to 48 overs.
Boyle did fall in the fourteenth over for 15, with van Beek bowling him and the Stags sitting on 55 for the loss of two wickets.
Just as Heaphy (41*) and Cleaver (25*) were getting their innings started, the rain started to fall in the capital, and the players weren’t able to get on for any more action, with both sides taking two points.
Central had down to Dunedin to face Otago while Wellington will travel to Hamilton and face Northern Districts.
Auckland Aces vs Otago Volts
By Otis Murray
Otago came into the Bay Oval after a thumping from Canterbury, while Auckland had been defeated by Wellington.
Auckland’s captain, Finn Allen, elected to bowl on a pitch, sending Otago in on a used wicket.
Things didn’t start well for Otago, with Thorn Parkes guiding one to Simon Keene at gully, continuing his poor run of form to start the season. Llew Johnson then went first ball, catching the inside edge, handing Danru Ferns two quick wickets while Otago were 39/2 after six overs.
Louis Delport's second ball sent Foxcroft packing, scoring only six being trapped in front, leading to his average ever so slightly increasing to 4.66. His poor run of form has led to people questioning his selection for the Blackcaps; however, Mitchell Santner’s selection was also doubted.
New transfer Leo Carter strolled to the crease while Dale Phillips was down the other end, creating a partnership that wasn’t broken for 20 overs. Will O’Donnell’s spin was needed to dismiss Phillips, getting him to play across the line and dragging it to mid-wicket. The Volts were now 164/4 and in a much better position.
After four overs, Carter also had to go, having a faint nick off O’Donnell’s bowling leading to trusty Cam Fletcher taking the catch. However, Carter’s knock of 62 brought his Ford Trophy average this season to 40, continuing last season's form of averaging 66.5.
Luke Georgeson was next to go, scoring 40, chopping one onto his stumps from Adi Ashok. Lockrose went four overs later for nine, skying a delivery straight up into the hands of Sean Solia.
Max Chu trying to play aggressively, flicked a full toss on his pads straight to Jock McKenzie, handing Ferns his third for the day.
Andrew Hazeldine then went for 17, with Travis Muller calling him through for a run that a junior could have made hesitating being run out at the keeper's end.
Muller ended on 15, while Matt Bacon ended on six, with the Volts making 283/9 from their 50 overs.
Finn Allen, trying to play aggressively, played a short ball to deep backward square leg, which was caught by Lockrose off Muller’s bowling. He went for 3 with Auckland’s star man gone.
A 66-run partnership was built between Solia and O’Donnell until O’Donnell mistimed a shot off Bacon, hitting it straight to Carter at mid-wicket.
Solia didn’t last much longer, being dismissed for 30, chipping it right back to Foxcroft with Auckland being at 78/3. However, McKenzie and Michael Sclanders strolled to the crease, and the Aces never turned back.
A 179-run partnership put the Aces in prime position to win the match. McKenzie was bowled, stepping back from his stumps, swinging across the line to a full-pitched delivery from Bacon. He went for 66 runs off 81 balls.
Sclanders was bowled in nearly the same way, stepping across to the offside to hit the full toss with a flick. Muller bowled him for 107 off 112, ensuring Auckland won the match.
Cam Fletcher scored 17 off 14, being caught at long off by Luke Georgeson after Muller bowled it into the slot.
Bevon-John Jacobs and Simon Keene, who had been relegated back down the order, finished it off, both not out, scoring 3 and 5, respectively.
Auckland won with three balls to spare, scoring 285/6. If Otago had their strike bowlers bowl tighter, there was a chance of a win, but they fared to be about 5-10 runs short.
Otago returns to Dunedin on Wednesday for their first home match vs the Stags, while Auckland stays at their home away from home vs. Canterbury.
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