The Auckland ACES travel to Wellington this week to take on the Wellington Firebirds in Round 7 of the Plunket Shield at Cello Basin Reserve, with first ball at 10:30am from Wednesday 18 March to Saturday 21 March.

With just two rounds remaining in the competition, the Plunket Shield table remains tightly packed. Canterbury currently sit at the top of the standings, but only 11 points separate first and fifth place, leaving the ACES firmly in the hunt as the season approaches its closing stages.

The Firebirds enter the match searching for their first win of the season and currently sit at the bottom of the ladder. 

The ACES head into the contest with a refreshed XI. Marco Alpe debuts and comes into the side as wicketkeeper to cover for the injured Cam Fletcher, while Luke Watson is set to make his First-Class debut after impressing during the Super Smash earlier this summer.

Two players who have been key contributors for the ACES this season are allrounders Ryan Harrison and Simon Keene. Keene continued his strong form with another fighting half-century in the recent match against Otago, once again providing resistance with the bat.

Harrison has also been influential with both bat and ball throughout the campaign, including a well-constructed 57 in the Otago match, while both he and Keene chipped in with 3-fors apiece in Otago’s first innings as the ACES worked to apply pressure across all disciplines.

Match details:
Wellington Firebirds vs Auckland ACES
Plunket Shield – Round 7
Wednesday 18 March – Saturday 21 March
10:30am start daily
Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
Free entry

ACES unavailable due to injury: Cam Fletcher, Matt Gibson, Jock McKenzie, Angus Olliver.

Photo credit: Photosport

Article added: Monday 16 March 2026