McClenaghan, Quinn bowl Auckland to huge succeed
Auckland 316 (de Grandhomme 70,
Cachopa 61, Ellis 3-54) and 158 for 1 (Guptill 84*) beat Canterbury 149
(McClenaghan 4-38, Quinn 3-34) and 321 (Carter 79, McClure 50, Quinn 4-81,
McClenaghan 3-68) by nine wickets
Auckland's fast bowlers Mitchell McClenaghan and Matthew Quinn picked up 7 wickets every, setting the tone for Auckland's 9-wicket win against Canterbury. Auckland was also buoyed by half-centuries from Colin de Grandhomme, Brad Cachopa and Martin Guptill, as the team opened their Plunket Shield campaign powerfully.
Canterbury, after being inserted, unsuccessful
to string together any significant company, and were bundled out for 149, as
McClenaghan (4 for 38) and Quinn (3 for 34) ran through the line-up in 48.1 over’s.
Auckland found themselves struggling at 50 for 3 in their reply, but three big
stands - 82 for the fourth wicket between de Grandhomme (70) and Rob Nicol, 68
for the 5th between Nicol and Cachopa (61), and 68 for the 8 between Tarun
Nethul and Michael Bates - ensured the hosts posted a total of 316 to collect a
lead of 167.
Canterbury fared better in the 2nd
innings, thanks mainly to a 109-run company between Leo Carter (79) and Ken
McClure (50), but once again, regular strikes from McClenaghan and Quinn banned
the company from pulling away with a big score. Canterbury were eventually
bowled out for 321, meaning that Auckland needed just 155 for victory, a total
the hosts chased down in 37 over’s thanks to Guptill's unbeaten 94-ball 84.
Otago 352
(Neesham 131, Rutherford 79, Bracewell 5-67) and 265 for 3 (Broom 131*, Wilson
83) drew with Central Districts 650 for 8 (Ben Smith 244, Worker 129,
Bruce 71)