10 Jan 2022An action-packed week of cricket for our Northern Districts Men’s side kicked off today as they travelled north to face the Auckland Aces in the Ford Trophy.
The day started well as skipper Joe Carter won the toss and sent the home side in to bat. The decision looked a good one early on as Anurag Verma removed opener Cole Briggs in the third over. Our men bowled well and were able to pick up wickets at relatively regular intervals, not allowing the Aces to get out of first gear. Some middle and lower order runs eventually helped them reach 221 before they were all out in the final over. Verma’s 3-29 led the way, assisted by spinners Ish Sodhi (2-54) and Mitchell Santner (2-47) who also affected a run out. Joe Walker (1-38) and Colin de Grandhomme (1-14) also picked up wickets.
The run chase didn’t start well as Tim Seifert was removed early. The home side would then have to wait 30 overs before their next scalp as Jeet Raval and Joe Carter combined for a mammoth 177 run partnership before Raval was dismissed for 97. That brought Henry Cooper to the crease and he as well as Carter would see the team home by eight wickets with 11.5 overs to go. Captain Joe Carter was the star of the show finishing 105 not out from 95 balls.
The two teams will go at it again on Wednesday from 11:00am at the same ground.
Photo Credit: Photosport
