Central District Stags

STAGS TAKE ON OTAGO AT SAXTON OVAL

Sent in at Saxton, a superb batting display saw the Central Stags set up a big-scoring win over the Volts in a 180-degree reversal of Sunday’s shock drubbing in Dunedin.

The 55-run victory keeps the Stags right in the running to make The Ford Trophy playoffs if they can gather momentum through the back three games – starting with a big one against leaders the Auckland Aces at Pukekura Park from 11am this Sunday.

Captain BEN SMITH’S career best 149 not out; KIERAN NOEMA-BARNETT’s ballistic unbeaten 81* off a mere 35 rocks – with a career best 3-26 in the same game; a massive new second-wicket partnership record between GEORGE WORKER (99) and Smith against all teams; and a successful List A debut for young wicketkeeper BAYLEY WIGGINS were just some of the many highlights on a day to remember at Saxton Oval.

Not even a career-best century in reply for ex-Stag Dean Foxcroft or one of the biggest sixes seen at the ground – Nathan Smith blasting the ball onto the roof of the pavilion en route to the athletic field – could prevent the Stags from grabbing four much-needed points to put them just a game away from the top three on the table, although they narrowly missed out on getting a bonus point thanks to Foxcroft’s fighting, run-a-ball 138.

Having been sent in on a warm, humid Nelson morning, Ben Smith had already trumped that effort with the best List A performance of his career.

Smith batted from the third ball of the innings right through until the end of the innings for his gutsy 149* off 151 balls, including 15 boundaries and three sixes.

With Worker, who was fresh back from tonning up for New Zealand A, the pair more than steadied the ship after the early loss of Greg Hay who had no luck as he was given out lbw first ball.

Smith and Worker paced their record second-wicket partnership superbly, the left-hander showing all his experience in building a winning one-day innings total while the experienced Smith is proving a late bloomer on the List A scene in his best summer yet.

Smith now has two Ford Trophy centuries, both scored this season after his century in round one at Fitzherbert Park against Canterbury.

While that high scoring innings went to waste in a washout, this time Smith celebrated his 50th List A appearance with a victory, his first as captain.

 

Noema-Barnett likewise has hit a rich vein of form and achieved the rare feat of a career best with both bat and ball in yesterday’s win – as well as chalking up his one-day career best batting in his second consecutive game, to go with T20 career bests with both bat and ball in this season’s Dream11 Super Smash.

 

 

 

The veteran’s experience has come to the fore just as the Stags sorely needed some magic, having lost a raft of regular stars to the BLACKCAPS and New Zealand A squads, as well as missing Adam Milne, Bevan Small and Doug Bracewell to injury.

 

Of those, Milne and Small are out for the season while allrounder Bracewell is nearing what could be a very timely return to action in the green.

 

Noema-Barnett has more than held the fort with his calm and explosive six-hitting ability. Yesterday he peppered the banks no fewer than eight times in what proved a decisive difference through the close of the innings against the hammered Volts.

 

 

 

 

On List A debut, a total of 345 for just two wickets meant new 21-year-old keeper-batsman BAYLEY WIGGINS didn’t get a bat, but he did secure his first dismissal after a big appeal for a caught behind off Ben Wheeler.

 

After top Ford Trophy wicket-taker SETH RANCE swung the ball early to removed dangerous Neil Broom for a duck, Wheeler struck twice to have the Volts in early difficulty at 12/3.

 

 

 

 

However, with as long as Foxcroft was at the crease, the Volts still had a chance going after a big total. It was who else but Noema-Barnett who eventually picked up the big wicket while George Worker also pocketed a three-for as he and and Brad Schmulian carried the spin attack.

 

With Foxcroft gone, the Volts soon folded to hand the Stags victory with 4.1 overs to spare.

 

Gates open on Sunday at Pukekura Park at 10am, with tickets available at the ground on Game Day.