Firebirds' bad run continues

BY SAM WORTHINGTON

The Wellington Firebirds failed to achieve liftoff on day one of their Plunket Shield match against Central Districts, bowled out for 250 by a couple of previously unheralded teenagers.

Fifth-placed Wellington were sent in at Napier's McLean Park, a track that normally encourages batsmen to run, not walk, to the crease.

But instead it was a continuation of the season's struggles as only little left-handers Luke Woodcock (73 not out) and Cameron Merchant (63) stood tall.

Central teenager Doug Bracewell (5-47) knocked the top off Wellington's top order yesterday, removing Stephen Murdoch, Matthew Bell and Neal Parlane all for single figures to have the visitors reeling at 35-3.

New Zealand under-19 representative Bracewell, the son of Brendon and nephew of John, then returned to mop up the tail and finished with easily his career-best figures.

Central will resume today at 25-0 against an injury-weakened attack, with Peter Ingram and Mathew Sinclair next in, eager to press on and keep their faint title hopes alive.

The decision to promote Murdoch to open was baffling given the Karori batsman had scored 79 batting at No 5 against Northern Districts last week, while for Bell and Parlane, Wellington's most senior and prolific batsmen, it was a continuation of poor seasons.

Skipper Bell has scored just 250 Plunket Shield runs at an average of 19 while Parlane is faring only slightly better with 326 at 23.

Merchant rekindled his run-scoring form at No 3 to revive Wellington's innings in an 86-run stand with Michael Pollard (31).

But another Central teenager, Adam Milne (4-49), removed that duo in quick succession while Chris Nevin suffered the ignominy of being bowled by Mathew Sinclair for 1.

Jeetan Patel (26) was cleaned out by the 17-year-old Milne, playing just his second first-class game, before the consistent Woodcock and Andrew Lamb (19) set about restoring some order to the innings.

Lamb and Malaesaili Tugaga were Bracewell's fourth and fifth victims while Milne also recorded the best figures of his brief career, accounting for Michael Burns as Woodcock was left stranded.

Wellington's run-rate was painfully slow, runs coming at just 2.85 per over.

In Whangarei, competition leaders Northern continued their march towards Plunket Shield glory, dismissing last-placed Auckland for just 227.

Wicketkeeper Reece Young (50) was the only Auckland batsman to raise his bat at Cobham Oval as Brent Arnel, Joseph Yovich, Bruce Martin and Kane Williamson picked up two wickets each. Test opener Tim McIntosh made 41 before being run out.

In reply, Northern (36-2) have made a wobbly start, losing test opener BJ Watling (19) and Brad Wilson (6). Teenaged run-machine Williamson and night-watchman Martin will resume today.

In Dunedin, a solid 134-run opening partnership between Rob Nicol and Michael Papps saw Canterbury through to a useful 218-4 after the first day against Otago in Queenstown yesterday.

However, medium pacer Mathew Harvie swung the momentum slightly back Otago's way when he picked up a bonus wicket on the last ball of the day, Johann Myburgh dismissed for 33 after edging the ball to wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder.

Nick Beard, who picked up career-best figures of 6-107 last week against Auckland, was again to the fore after Otago won the toss and elected to bowl in a rain-shortened match which didn't start until 1pm.

In just his 10th first class match, the 20-year-old orthodox left-arm spinner finished with miserly figures of 1-38 off 23 overs, battling into a stiff southerly breeze for much of the day.

- © Fairfax NZ News