SKYCITY Northern Knights 233 and 347-6 declared (Daniel Flynn 112, Daryl Mitchell 76, Mark Gillespie 2-41) beat Wellington Firebirds 117 and 58 (Tim Southee 4-18, Ish Sodhi 2-9) by 395 runs at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
SKYCITY Northern Knights collected the biggest win in their first class history, skittling the Wellington Firebirds for just 58 in their second dig, on the back of strong bowling from Tim Southee (4-18), Trent Boult (2-13), Ish Sodhi (2-9) and Graeme Aldridge (2-10).
The Knights resumed day three on 198-3. Daryl Mitchell pushed on to 76, alongside BJ Watling (61) and a typically swift 17 from Southee before Daniel Flynn declared the innings over at 347-6, setting the Firebirds 476 to win.
That turned out to be more than ample, as the BLACKCAPS pair Southee and Boult proved too much for the Firebirds batsmen. The pair took a string of ducks in the middle of the innings, with Stephen Murdoch, Michael Pollard, Luke Woodcock and Henry Walsh all failing to register a run, and the Firebirds losing four wickets for no score.
There was no way back there, and Ish Sodhi and Graeme Aldridge cleaned up the tail to give their team a 395 run win.
The Knights now sit top of the table, tied with the Central Stags on 40 points, heading into the break for the Ford Trophy.
DAY TWO: SKYCITY Northern Knights 223 all out and 198-3 (Daniel Flynn 112, Brad Wilson 45) lead Wellington Firebirds 117 all out (Trent Boult 5-37, Tim Southee 3-56, Michael Papps 24) by 304 runs at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
The SKYCITY Northern Knights are well in control going into day three at Seddon Park, with a lead of 304 runs
After being dismissed for 223, their overnight score, the BLACKCAPS duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult set about wrecking the Firebirds innings.
Southee cleaned up Brady Barnett and Stephen Murdoch, both for ducks and both caught behind in the first over. Michael Papps withstood the onslaught and lasted until the 19th over for 24 runs before Graeme Aldridge got in the act, trapping him lbw.
Trent Boult’s first wicket was Michael Pollard in the 12th over, before going on to clean up the tail, providing BJ Watling three catches behind the stumps, and completing the innings and his five-wicket bag by getting Matt McEwan for 20, caught by Watling.
In reply, Brad Wilson and Daniel Flynn made an opening stand of 104 before Wilson was caught in front to a Mark Gillespie special. Flynn continued with Daryl Mitchell before picking out Stephen Murdoch in the deep from Luke Woodcock to depart for 122. Mitchell will resume on 28* in the morning.
DAY ONE: SKYCITY Northern Knights 223-9 (BJ Watling 60*, Daniel Flynn 35, Brent Arnel 4-55) at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
BJ Watling saved the SKYCITY Northern Knights blushes with his 60 not out. On a day punctuated with rain delays. The Wellington Firebirds bowlers took advantage of a pitch that nipped around.
Daniel Flynn was steady for 35 at the top of the order, while Joe Carter (27) and Daryl Mitchell (18) had the Knights well placed at 88-2, before Ile Tugaga removed the latter lbw and sparked a mini collapse, with five wickets falling for 44 runs.
Watling was the difference between a poor score and some respectability, patiently waiting for the right deliveries before launching into his favoured square of the wicket shots. He got support further down the order from Ish Sodhi who made a valuable 26.
Brent Arnel cleaned up the most part of the tail with 4-55, and the Firebirds will be keen to finish the innings quickly on day two before trying their luck on a pitch with some life still in it.
