This round's introduction of a new style of Kookaburra, with an extra layer of lacquer, saw late swing come into play at a green Basin Reserve. The Wellington Firebirds utilised it to full effect for an important victory as the injury-hit Stags took a bath in the Basin.

The lads had begun what would turn out to be the third and final day with eight wickets in hand with captain Greg Hay - the man who had batted throughout the ruinous first innings that saw the Stags rumbled for 96 - having already garnered his second half century of the match the night before.

In a standard match scenario, resuming at 124 for two would have been very much even Stevens - but the first-innings capitulation after having been sent in would prove costly.

No.1 Willem Ludick now has 21 wickets from 5 rounds

The Firebirds' attack knew they only needed to chip out a few wickets with the cherry to have the Stags under real pressure, with the ball continuing to duck around.

Hay's defences were down early for no further addition to his 54 as Jimmy Neesham (3-65) claimed him for the second time in the match.

Six wickets tumbled in the morning session in all and the Stags went to an uncomfortable lunch at 221 for eight - Brad Schmulian, batting at seven, the only other batsman to show some stickability.

His fidgety yet compact technique served him well as he held on for almost two and a half hours, moving from 40 at lunch to an unbeaten 68*.

However, the Firebirds were still chipping away with Jamie Gibson (3-36) adding two tailend scalps to the wicket of Will Young the previous day.

A runout ended the Stags' brave resistance when last man Ray Toole found himself stranded in the middle, Schmulian stranded on his 65 not out, and the Firebirds now with a tame chase of 53 for the outright points.

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The season's leading wicket-taker, Willem Ludick collected another wicket for his stats (and Dane Cleaver his 149th first-class dismissal), but it was all over bar the shouting for this match as Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway walked it home to reclaim a 13-point lead over the Stags at the top of the table.

The two sides will meet again in the penultimate seventh round in Napier, meanwhile the Stags will head to Dunedin next week, and the Firebirds to Auckland's Colin Maiden Park in the interim, both sides on a mission to keep scoring big points - with plenty of time yet in the season to do so.

ROUND FIVE

Wellington Firebirds defeated Central Stags by nine wickets with a day to spare

Basin Reserve, Wellington

1-3 March 2020

Scores

Bonus Points: Wellington Firebirds 6, Central Stags 4

Total points this round: Wellington Firebirds 18, Central Stags 4

The rematch is coming!

Article added: Tuesday 03 March 2020