Plunket Shield Summary. Round 2

Three matches all going into the third session on the final day with Auckland and Canterbury pulling off home victories having been well behind for most of their respective matches.  Four sides now have one win each.

Opening Batsmen

Jeet Raval once again got a couple of starts, and once again didn’t do anything with them. 28 & 35 this week; he’s not quite nailing this. Also not pushing his case was Hamish Rutherford who came back down to earth with 0 & 15.

Luke Woodcock is in the form of his life, backing up last week’s 98 with 120. He picked up some key wickets too.

Luke Woodcock walks on water.

— Andrew (@shortflyslip) November 1, 2016

Other Batsmen

Henry Nicholls made 98 on a deteriorating pitch at Hagley Oval which is probably enough to put him at the front of the queue for the number 5 spot for the first test against Pakistan at the same venue.

Colin de Grandhomme played a match-winning 144 off 147 to remind us of his short-form credentials, while Neil Broom with 161 put his hand up at the back of the class; his 18th First Class century.

Busy Scott Kuggeleijn followed up his impressive bowling last week with 112; an innings which in retrospect was a match saver
CD keeper Dane Cleaver also passed 100.

Bowlers

This was a round for the leg-spinners. Tarun Nethula took a match haul of 10 (6/36 and 4/88) for Auckland while Todd Astle took 5/36 as Canterbury spun their way to victory on the final afternoon. At one stage both Canterbury spinners Tim Johnston and Todd Astle found themselves sitting on hat-tricks at the same time. Research is underway as to whether this is unique.

Here are the four wickets to fall; most notable for the celebrating from keeper Cam Fletcher.

Tim Johnston and Todd Astle combined for two hat-trick chances and 4 wickets in 5 balls for @CanterburyCrick. #plunketshield pic.twitter.com/Ylb9sJbEsl

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 1, 2016

Not to be outdone CD’s left arm orthodox Ajaz Patel also picked up 10 wickets (5/41 and 5/118).

The pick of the seamers was Neil Wagner with 5/55 and 3/58 on a pitch where spinners excelled.

This series of Plunket Shield wraps is for those who like to follow casually, particularly with an eye to national selection. Given the tournament has no radio coverage anymore someone has to do it. However, it is almost exclusively done by reading scoreboards and NZC Press Releases. If you happen to go to any of the matches and have some observations to make please e-mail freak@sportsfreak.co.nz with feedback. Cheers