Cricket: Half centuries hand Aces a comfortable win

Black Cap Mitchell McClenaghan, who top scored with 20.

Auckland Aces beat the Sky City Northern Knights outright by three wickets on day three of the Plunket Shield match at Bay Oval yesterday.

Set 233 to win after they bowled the Knights out for 206 in their second innings, the Aces secured the points thanks to half centuries from Rob Nichol, Colin de Grandhomme and Colin Munro.

Auckland won the toss and bowled first on Friday on a track that looked to have plenty for both batsmen and bowlers.

Knights openers Daniel Flynn and Joe Carter were gone with just eight runs on the board, before Bharat Popli steadied the ship to top score with 32 runs from 81 balls. The home side were 59/3 at lunch, with wickets continuing to fall in the early afternoon session. Knights number seven batsman Tim Seifert dug in to post 25 runs before the Knights were dismissed for 124.

The mayhem continued in the Auckland innings as the Knights held the momentum with the Aces 37-6 at one stage. In spite of a fighting knock from Black Cap Mitchell McClenaghan, who top scored with 20, the Aces were removed for 98, to hand the Knights a 26-run first innings advantage. Scott Kuggeleijn was in outstanding form taking 5/32 runs with James Baker finishing with 4/44.

Late on day one, the Knights began their second innings and reached 39/3 when stumps were drawn. Rain delayed the start until 4.30pm when Bay of Plenty's Popli and Black Cap batsman Anton Devcich quickly went on the offensive to take the score through to 89, before Popli was bowled for 33. Devcich followed soon after for 54 before bad light stopped play.

A tidy 50 from Kuggeleijn helped the home side get through to 206 all out on day three, which set Auckland a target of 233 for outright victory that they achieved seven wickets down.

- Sky City Northern Knights 124(Bharat Popli 32, Tim Siefert 25; Michael Bates 4/29, Colin Munro 2/17, Mitchell McClenaghan 2/46) and 206 (Anton Devcich 54, Scott Kuggeleijn 50, Bharat Popli 33; DJ Grobbelaar 3/37, Mitchell McClenaghan 3/55) lost to Auckland Aces 98 (Mitchell McClenaghan 20; Scott Kuggeleijn 5/32, James Baker 4/44) and 233/7 (Rob Nicol 59, Colin de Grandhomme 55, Colin Munro 50; Scott Kuggeleijn 3/67, Brett Hampton 2/52, James Baker 2/70). Auckland won outright by three wickets.