The Wellington Firebirds bowled out the Auckland Aces to record a 99 run win at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Wellington batsmen Luke Woodcock (64*) can Dewayne Bowden (32*) lashed 25 runs in three overs this morning before the declaration came leaving Auckland the task of chasing 362.
The visitors never looked like threatening the total or saving the match with the most substantial score coming from Jeet Raval who made 69 batting at seven. Andrew de Booder was next best with 47.
Pace bowler Dewayen Bowden and spinner Jeetan Patel took three for 43 and three for 87 respectively.
It was a good comeback for Wellington after they conceded first inning points to the Canterbury Wizards in the first round last week. They currently sit third on the points table.
Day 3: Wellington Firebirds 255 for five lead Auckland Aces by 337
The Wellington Firebirds bowled out the Auckland Aces for 274 to secure first innings points and give them a useful 82 run lead heading into the second innings.
Andrew de Boorder was the best for the Aces today with 33.
Firebirds spinner Jeetan Patel sneered four for 73 with Andy McKay and Robbie Schaw taking two apiece.
Wellington’s second innings was highlighted by Cameron Merchant’s maiden First-Class ton. It was an innings full of strokes with nine boundaries and three sixes. Merchant has been the one of the form batsman of the Plunket Shield after hitting 99 and 37 against the Canterbury Wizards last week.
Luke Woodcock(49*) and Dewayne Bowden (24) will resume tomorrow for the Firebirds as Wellington look to put themselves in a position to push for the outright win.
Day 2: Auckland Aces 186 for four trail Wellington Firebirds by 170
A century from opener Richard Jones provided the backbone of the Auckland Aces innings but they still trail the Wellington Firebirds by 170 at the end of day two at the Basin Reserve.
Wellington only managed to add 29 runs this morning as the Auckland bowlers quickly cleaned up the tail but a competitive first innings total of 356 was posted.
Jeetan Patel wasn’t able to add to his over night score with wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Nevin left stranded on 48 not out.
The Aces started strongly in reply with Jones and opening partner Martin Guptill putting on 125 for the first wicket. Guptill went for 49 but Jones was the star of the show with 101 – his 16th First-Class ton.
Lance Shaw (1) and Scott Styris (2) will resume tomorrow for Auckland.
Day 1: Wellington Firebirds 327 for seven batting first
Wellington openers Matthew Bell and Josh Brodie put on 151 for the first wicket to put their team in a commanding position in the Plunket Shield match against the Auckland Aces at the Basin Reserve.
Bell was in magnificent touch, hitting a crisp 94 including 15 boundaries. Brodie was more measured in his approach - batting for over four and half hours but was rewarded with his second First Class century before being cruelly run-out on 103.
A string of low scores followed as the Auckland bowling attack clawed their way back into the match before Chris Nevin (25*) and Jeetan Patel (21*) consolidated with and unbeaten 45 run partnership for the eighth wicket.
Lance Shaw toiled away collecting two for 70 with Michael Bates, Nicholas Turner and Ravi Bopara picking up one each.
