From the Aces camp - Part 3

Friday, 12 November 2010

Auckland Aces Managers Blog

Plunket Shield v Canterbury November 2010

Thursday November 11th - Day Three
There was a determined mood in the Aces camp at the start of day three. The warm ups on batting days take a different tone as the batters head to the nets seeking to hit a few balls. The team spirit with the Aces was very evident as those that were out from the previous day helped the batsman who would need to do the job for us today. Anaru Kitchen had a 10 minute net in his playing gear and went straight from the nets out into the middle. That approach paid off as he brought up his half century shortly after the start of play.

Skipper Kyle Mills and Anaru got us off to a solid start as the Aces target was to get to drinks without losing a wicket. Solid in defense and quick to punish the loose ball, the pair clocked up a century partnership and was looking good to challenge the Aces sixth wicket record of 160 v Canterbury. However at 220 Kyle Mills was bowled by the offspin of Rob Nichol for a well compiled 69. Another hour of these two could have made all the difference to the Aces chances.

Anaru Kitchen, having been dropped off a skied sweep shot on 88, moved into the nineties as the new ball was taken. Leaving the nerves to his mates watching on the sidelines Anaru looked very composed in moving towards his 100. A nudge of his hip for two brought up a superb century and one that he can be very proud of.

Unfortunately he was out shortly afterwards as he tried to work the ball again to leg and the ball took the shoulder of the bat and was caught behind point.

The lower middle order battled hard with Daryl Tuffey prominent but the ask of 433 was too much and the Aces conceded a first innings lead of 146.

One of the toughest elements of first class cricket is that the boys had 10 minutes to deal with the disappointment and get back out there to bowl in the second innings.

They did a magnificent job. Daryl Tuffey, looking every inch the international new ball bowler, was well supported by Michael Bates as the Canterbury team struggled to go at more than two runs per over. It's pretty handy for any side to replace these two with Kyle Mills and Andre Adams who are world class seamers in their own right.

A special moment as Andre Adams found the edge and Brad Cachopa took a magnificent diving catch in front of first slip. That was his first victim at this level and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the team. Brad commented in the shed "I've never kept for 165 overs in a match before never mind waiting that long to get my first victim!".

Stumps were drawn at 131-3 off 57 overs. That represented a very credible performance and hopefully the Aces can turn that into an outright victory tomorrow.

Keep an eye on the score via aucklandcricket.co.nz or via twitter in what promises to be an exciting day's cricket.