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Venue - Fitzherbert Park, Palmy Occasion - Auckland Aces vs Central Stags The reason - Had to be a good one the wind was abysmal, but I haven't been to a first class match in over twenty years. Aces lost the toss and batted and Central soon had them in trouble, 3 down with naff all on the board. Enter the former English Test player, one Ravi Bopara. You know what it's like when you're sitting at a ground and watching cricket, time just flies. I couldn't read the (pitiful) scoreboard and asked a bloke in the seat in front what Bopara was on and he said 82 and I swore so loudly the poor schoolkids behind me cringed in fear. Central let this game away by not taking wickets in telling moments or regular intervals. Aces should have been held to around 220. The bowlers toiled, Thompson handy, but boy Mason looks the goods though not an out and out wicket taker. Oram was bowling smoothly (f**k it) and seem to have the measure of the Aces batsmen at times.
One of the reasons I wanted to see this game was to see how some players on the verge of national selection would go. The three in question, Ingram, Oram, and Diamanti. Ingram didn't get a chance to play well, cut off by a very dubious decision, so there is nothing for now to gauge him by. Oram seemed to be bowling well within himself and with some lively pace too. He was accurate without being threatening, but the body language sort of gave me the indication he wasn't really into the game. His batting was utter sh*t. Verdict, not a chance to play ever again in internationals. Diamati seemed to be bustling and into the game. He was relatively expensive during his bowling, but he did bowl sensibly, changing around the wicket to Bopara to deny him easy runs, which worked. Regrettably he injured himself and was unable to bat. The winner on the day was the Manawatu wind. It beat me up all day in the stand and I had to retire hurt before Centrals innings closed (left around the 160 mark.) Cost me $12 entry and 4 bucks for a saucy and coke so a really value packed day. Just a pity the English Import decided today was his.
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(Unrated)
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