ACES Welcome Back Allen and Fletcher in an Intriguing Clash Against the Firebirds

The ACES squad is set to receive a boost with the return of Finn Allen and Cam Fletcher. However, they will have to cope with the absence of Robbie O'Donnell, who is sidelined due to a side strain suffered in the previous match against Canterbury. Sean Solia is set for his first taste of Plunket Shield captaincy in O’Donnell’s absence.

Despite the tough start to the 2023/24 campaign, the ACES need only to look back to last season for some inspiration, as they won the away fixture at the Basin by 9 wickets and were just 2 wickets away from completing the double against the Firebirds at Colin Maiden Park, which eventually ended in a draw.

Adithya Ashok, the in-form leg spinner, will look to continue his impressive start, having already claimed 14 wickets in the first three rounds.

Robbie O’Donnell joins the injury list along with Ben Lister (hamstring) and Harjot Johal (shoulder), who remain sidelined.

The team will be closely following the ICC Cricket World Cup Semi Final match tomorrow night, cheering on the BLACKCAPS as they face India. However, this means that Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, and Jimmy Neesham remain unavailable due to their World Cup commitments.

The action kicks off tomorrow at 10:30 am at Eden Park’s outer oval. Entry is free, with the match livestreamed through NZC’s YouTube channel, or you can follow live scoring at scoring.nzc.nz.

Plunket Shield Round Four

Auckland ACES vs. Wellington Firebirds

15-18 November 2023, Kennards Hire Community Oval

10:30am start

FH Allen

A Ashok (Suburbs New Lynn)

LJ Delport (East Coast Bays)

DK Ferns (Takapuna)

CD Fletcher (East Coast Bays)

MJ Gibson (Cornwall)

RD Harrison (East Coast Bays)

SB Keene (North Shore)

WT O’Donnell (Takapuna)

SM Solia (Suburbs New Lynn)

QLM Sunde (Takapuna)

GH Worker (Cornwall)

Article added: Tuesday 14 November 2023