Quick Progress for the Aces
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Kitchen struck six fours and one six in reaching 76
Auckland found the runs flowing against Plunket Shield rivals Canterbury.
Four of their batsmen posted half-centuries as the home side reached a healthy 372 for five on the first day at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
Opener Tim McIntosh ended a lean patch with a determined 54 containing just four boundaries in 160 minute. This knock gave McIntosh the title of all time leading runscorer for Auckland in long format cricket. Following his dismissal Anaru Kitchen, captain Gareth Hopkins and Colin de Grandhomme all showed their liking for the conditions as Auckland progressed at a good rate.
Kitchen struck six fours and one six in reaching 76 in a little over three hours, Hopkins continued his strong recent form with 70 off 96 balls and de Grandhomme topped them all with an unbeaten 81.
The new limited overs international faced 120 balls, hit seven fours and one six, and enjoyed an unbroken stand of 122 for the sixth wicket with Colin Munro, who will return to the middle tomorrow on 42.
Andrew Ellis was easily the pick of the bowlers, with the hard working seamer taking four for 96 off 23 overs.