Fresh off a fighting draw, the Central Stags squad is on its way to the big smoke for the first away match of the first-class cricket season.

The unchanged Stags are looking to trump defending Plunket Shield champion the Auckland Aces at Kennards Hire Community Oval from Tuesday.

It's the 102nd first-class fixture between Auckland and Central who took plenty of encouragement from their steely performance at Saxton Oval.

TOM BRUCE’s captain’s knock of 74 and two and three quarters hours’ worth of concentration from number 10 batsman BLAIR TICKNER denied Canterbury the spoils in Nelson, after the visitors had looked assured of a comfortable victory on the final day.

Images: PHOTOSPORT

Canterbury was last season’s runner up in the competition and, after a good shake-out, Bruce says the team is looking forward to another tough match against the Aces this week. 

“The Aces are also hunting a first win of the season after their loss to the Otago Volts last week, so we know that will have stung them and they will be very determined not to let that happen again at their home ground.

“But we’ve had some very good contests at Kennards over recent seasons and we always look forward to playing there. 

"There were plenty of positives to take away from Nelson and we can’t wait to get stuck in.

 

Statistical highlights from the opening round included Bruce's 4000th first-class run amid his prodigious 2022 form, and allrounder DOUG BRACEWELL taking his 350th first-class wicket. 

New acquisition BRETT RANDELL also hit the ground running, producing a career best, unbeaten 90* on Stags debut in the first innings, a lower order knock that ensured the team picked up valuable bonus points and increased the pressure on the opposition. 

WILL YOUNG opened his season with a half century | PHOTOSPORT

Follow the match with the free livestream and livescoring here at www.cdcricket.co.nz from 10.30am each day.

After this week's away match, the Stags will return home to Saxton Oval, Nelson to host Northern Districts in the third round.

Round Two, 2022/23

AUCKLAND ACES v CENTRAL STAGS

Kennards Hire Community Oval, Eden Park, Auckland

10.30am, Tuesday 25-Friday 28 October 2022

SQUAD

(unchanged)

TOM Bruce (c) — Taranaki, RH batsman, off-spin bowler 

DOUG Bracewell — Hawke’s Bay, RH pace allrounder

JOSH Clarkson — Nelson, RH pace allrounder

DANE Cleaver (w) — Manawatu, RH wicketkeeper-batsman

AJAZ Patel — Hawke’s Bay, LH off-spin bowler

BRETT Randell — RH pace allrounder

BRAD Schmulian — Hawke’s Bay, RH batsman, leg-spin bowler

BEN Smith — Whanganui, RH batsman

BLAIR Tickner — Hawke’s Bay, RH pace bowler

RAY Toole — Manawatu, LH pace bowler

BAYLEY Wiggins — Hawke’s Bay, RH batsman, wicketkeeper

WILL Young — Taranaki, RH batsman

Head Coach: ROB Walter

Players unavailable for selection:

SETH Rance — Wairarapa

GREG Hay — Nelson (injury)

AUCKLAND ACES SQUAD

Robbie O'Donnell (c)

Adithya Ashok (uncapped)

Cole Briggs

Danru Ferns

Ryan Harrison

Ben Horne (w)

Simon Keene

Will O'Donnell

Sean Solia

Will Somerville

Ross ter Braak

George Worker

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Full season schedules

Article added: Sunday 23 October 2022