Aces blow faint hopes against CD

Auckland’s Super Smash campaign is over after Ben Smith upstaged the Aces’ Black Caps batters and kicked their faint finals’ hopes to touch at Eden Park yesterday.

Needing to beat the out-ofcontention Central Stags, improve their net run rate and hope Wellington then lose at home to the top-of-the-table Northern Brave, the hosts in the end could not even tick the first box, going down by 10 runs, which ensures the Firebirds a spot in the elimination final against the Canterbury Kings in Dunedin on Thursday.

The Aces gave it a decent crack, as Glenn Phillips (52 off 34 balls) and captain Robbie O’Donnell (68 off 37) blasted halfcenturies to give them late hope, but in the end Smith’s 80 off 49 trumped them, before opening bowlers Seth Rance (2-15 off 4 overs) and Adam Milne (1-22 off 4) came up big with the ball.

In what was the first domestic match at the stadium in seven seasons – played on the main field as part of a celebration of essential workers who have played important roles in New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic – it didn’t disappoint, with yet another tense finish.

Sent in, the Stags posted 176-7 thanks to opener Smith’s superb round-the-park hitting, which included 10 fours and two sixes, and plenty of flicks and scoops.

Leg-spinner Adi Ashok was the pick of the bowlers, with the 19-year-old continuing to impress, claiming 3-28 off four, including the big wicket of Smith in the 17th over to halt the visitors’ charge.

It looked as if Central may have posted an under-par total, but the Aces struggled early in their reply.

The signs were ominous first ball of the innings when Martin Guptill – in his first match back from injury – had to dispose of his broken favourite bat.

The Aces were 30-3 after the powerplay as Guptill struggled for timing in getting to 6 off 18.

Phillips began to open the shoulders (five fours, three sixes) and brought up his 50 off 32 balls, but holed out in the 15th over and just as O’Donnell had taken international Doug Bracewell for 19 off his last over, and had a halfcentury in only 29 balls, the skipper was also caught in the deep in the 18th.

Auckland needed 16 off the last over, with Sean Solia and Lockie Ferguson at the wicket, but Rance closed it out in fine style.