Looking to bounce back from two opening losses, the ACES face their first away-from-home challenge of the season, taking on Canterbury for Plunket Shield round three.

The ACES currently sit at 6^th on the table with 7 points after losing to the Central Stags and Northern Districts at Kennards Hire Community Oval in rounds one and two.

They can take heart from an improved showing against Canterbury in 2022/23, when they also faced their Southern rivals for round three after a similar start to the season.

On that occasion, they scrapped to a draw thanks to a first innings century and five-wicket bag to skipper Robbie O’Donnell and a fighting century to George Worker in the second innings.

Finn Allen and Ben Lister miss this match again through disc damage to the back and a hamstring injury, respectively.

Cameron Fletcher will also miss the chance to take on his former team as he sits out this match for family reasons. 

Left-arm spinner Louis Delport comes into the squad for the first time this season in place of Fletcher, having just captained Auckland A against Northern Districts A in a three day match in Hamilton earlier this week.

Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson and Jimmy Neesham are unavailable for selection due to ICC Cricket World Cup commitments.

2022/23 runners-up Canterbury are sitting at fourth on the table, also winless after two rounds after an opening round loss to Wellington and a tight draw against the Otago Volts.

Matches between these two rivals are always eventful and with some catch-up to do for both teams to get back near the top of the table, there is plenty to play for.

The action kicks off at Hagley Oval at 10:30am tomorrow with live scoring and live streaming at scoring.nzc.nz.

Article added: Sunday 05 November 2023