The Auckland ACES are home next week at Eden Park’s Kennards Hire Community Oval, hosting Otago in Round 6 of the Plunket Shield, with first ball at 10:30am on Monday 9 March.

With three rounds remaining in the competition, the ACES currently sit second on the table behind Northern Districts after a loss in Round 5. With margins between teams still tight, the match presents an important opportunity for the ACES to regain momentum and remain firmly in the title race.

Otago enter the fixture placed fourth on the ladder, after their Round 5 match against Canterbury ended without a result despite the Volts dominating large periods of the game. With valuable points still on offer across the remaining rounds, both sides will see the contest as an opportunity to strengthen their position heading into the closing stages of the season.

The ACES name the same settled squad for the encounter, with allrounder Simon Keene continuing his strong return from injury. Since rejoining the side late in the Ford Trophy campaign, Keene has made an immediate impact with both bat and ball, including a fighting 67 from 120 balls in the second innings against Northern Districts in Round 5.

That innings provided resistance in difficult circumstances and highlighted Keene’s value as a genuine allround contributor as the ACES look to push back toward the top of the table.

The Auckland ACES take on Otago in Round 6 of the Plunket Shield at Eden Park’s Kennards Hire Community Oval, with first ball at 10:30am on Monday 9 March.

Match details:
Auckland ACES vs Otago 
Plunket Shield – Round 6
Monday 9 March – Thursday 12 March
10:30am start daily
Eden Park’s Kennards Hire Community Oval
Free entry

ACES unavailable due to injury: Jock McKenzie, Angus Olliver.

Photo credit: Photosport

Article added: Saturday 07 March 2026