Pluncket Shield Review

Posted: Friday, 18 November 2016

Northern Districts v Auckland

In spite of the Plunket Shield game at the Bay Oval Mount Maunganui being severely affected by inclement weather, with no play possible on day two – three batsmen blasted centuries to showcase the grounds ability to produce big individual scores.

On Monday (14 November 2016) the Auckland visitors won the toss, with the decision looking to back fire after Dean Brownlie and Cory Anderson put bat to ball in grand fashion. Both Knights players reside in the Western Bay of Plenty and are very familiar with the Bay Oval ground and practise facilities.

Brownlie who opened the innings with Anton Devcich, was there for most of his side turn at bat, before being caught for 143 off the third ball of the 91st over. The Mount Maunganui resident blasted 17 fours in his big innings.

Corey Anderson also put a three figure score alongside his name, belting 16 four’s on his way to 103 before being dismissed. The two Bay of Plenty registered players put on a 158 run partnership, which played a big part in the ND sides declaration of 417 for seven.

Black Cap ODI master blaster Martin Guptil put his test batting woes behind him, with the third century of the match. Guptil set his sights on the boundary ropes as he smashed 151 of just 138 balls with twenty boundaries and four 6’s in his big total. He was finally removed, when caught by substitute fieldsman Joe Carter, who is another Knights player to graduate from the Bay of Plenty Cricket pathway.

The Aces were bowled out late on day three for 348, to give the home side first innings point’s advantage. The visitors could only rue missed opportunities with three batsmen dismissed in the thirties. Daryl Mitchell was the best of the Knights bowling attack returning 4/39 with Scott Kuggeleijn taking three wickets.

Day four brought the prospect of further weather stoppages, with the Knights going out to bat with a lead of 69 in the scorebook. The Aces bowlers struck early in the home teams innings to have them two down with just 15 runs on the board. Swirling showers had the players on and off the field, with the game called of some two hours early with the Knights at 110/5.

Corey Anderson, who made an early entrance, posted an unbeaten 46 as the home side took first innings points. The first innings advantage, increased the Northern Districts representative lead at the top of the Plunket Shield standings, giving them a 13 point buffer from the Auckland side who sit in second place.

Plunket Shield 14/17 November 2016 @ Bay Oval Mount Maunganui
Northern Knights 417/7 (Dean Brownlie 143, Cory Anderson 130; LH Fergusson 3/70, TH Nethula 3/99) &110/5 (Corey Anderson 46no, Daryl Mitchell 26; LH Ferguson 3/19
Auckland Aces 348 (MJ Guptil 151; Daryl Mitchell 4/39, Scott Kuggelijn 3/84)
Result: Northern Knights took first innings points.

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