History repeated itself at Eden Park this Labour Weekend as the defending champions Central Stags proved too hot to handle for the ACES.

The Plunket Shield began exactly the same way for these two sides as it did in 2022/23 with two limp batting performances from the hosts and some watchful, intelligent batting from the visitors.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first under partly cloudy but warm conditions on Friday, Robbie O'Donnell took one look at the pitch and sent the Stags in to bat, figuring their best chance of getting ahead in the match was quick wickets early on.

The Central Districts batters were watchful and patient against the ACES pace bowlers, particularly against Ben Lister, who was causing some issues with his swing away from the right handers.

It was Danru Ferns, however, who provided the first breakthrough, getting Jack Boyle to edge one through to Cameron Fletcher, who took his first catch for the ACES on his debut.

That was the last moment to cherich on day one for the ACES as the Stags notched up partnership after partnership. Veteran skipper Greg Hay brought up his 16th first class century and a brace of 80s from Schmulian, Bruce and Clarkson kept Central Districts ticking away.

Ben Lister pulled up with an injury early on day two, further hurting the ACES chances and they had to battle on, one pace bowler down.

Once Dane Cleaver boshed a quick half century, the Stags had got over the 500 mark and had batted themselves into an unbeatable position. 

Adi Ashok copped some punishment but his leg spin provided wicket taking opportunies, just as it did last season, and he ended with figures of 4/141.

Realistically, the ACES needed to match the Stags in time taken to score, not necessarily in amount of runs. This was always going to be a tough ask against  a masterful bowling lineup on a pitch offering variable bounce.

Blair Tickner showed how useful it is having a bowler who can hit the deck at 140kph+ by castling Will O'Donnell and Quinn Sunde. Robbie O'Donnell and George Worker then fell in quick succession and it was left up to Sean Solia to rebuild. He notched up his 17th first class half century before falling to Ray Toole for 81.

Finn Allen, in his first match for Auckland since 2019/20, showed how his aggressive approach can be counterbalanced with watchful defence with a counterattacking 79. His strokeplay was typically domineering but he was unusually measured in his 109-ball knock.

His dismissal to Doug Bracewell was the last of the ACES innings as they were shot out for 264. 

Central Districts felt their fast bowlers were fresh enough for another crack so enforced the follow-on and sent Auckland back in. 

This time Solia couldn't offer the same resistance and the top order collapsed to the Stags pacers. 

George Worker and Cam Fletcher countered with a 73-run stand but once Fletcher was dismissed for 26, the wheels completely fell off and the last five wickets followed for just 49 runs. Worker ended as the top scorer with 67.

Lister didn't bat in either innings and there will be an update on his fitness ahead of the next match.

Stags grabbed the win by an innings and 77 runs and the ACES once again start their season with a hammering.

There is no shame in losing to the Stags, one of the competition's pace setters and the ACES now have an opportunity to rewrite the script against Northern Districts, who just completed a demolition job themselves against the hapless Otago Volts. 

Tune in for that match on Saturday the 28th of October, once again at Kennards Hire Community Oval.

Central Stags 509/8 dec. (GR Hay 115, BD Schmulian 86, JA Clarkson 83, A Ashok 4/141) beat Auckland ACES 264 (SM Solia 81, FH Allen 79, BM Tickner 3/57) and 168 (GH Worker 67, RL Toole 4/33) by an innings at 77 runs 

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Article added: Sunday 22 October 2023