Cricket: Stags turn focus on youth after stalemate

Heinrich Malan (left) says it's a good chance for the young to hone their skills in the remaining four Plunket Shield matches left this summer. PHOTO/FILE

Chasing around 390 twice over in a three-day match was always going to be impossible, if not ridiculous, never mind how good a batting strip was on offer.

Consequently it's no surprise the Auckland Aces v Central Districts Stags Plunket Shield match - with a day lost to a leaking cover on the wicket - ended in a draw yesterday as players shook hands not long after tea at Colin Maiden Park.

While the Heinrich Malan-coached Stags received batting/bowling first-innings points, the outright win proved elusive in round six and has effectively ended their first-class campaign.

"It's obviously not the start we wanted on a flat and good batting wicket," Malan said, believing the Aces left their declaration a tad too late to provide a platform for an outcome.

CD skipper William Young had declared reasonably early in their first dig but the hosts were always on the front foot to dictate terms.

The Stags play the Northern Districts Knights at Seddon Park, Hamilton, from Monday next week with four rounds remaining.

Asked if CD were still in with a chance, Malan replied: "We'll have to play some really good cricket if we want to get to the top of the table in the remaining four games."

The young crop of bowlers, he felt, had the opportunity to take up the challenge of rolling up their sleeves on benign batting strips over four days at a time.

Malan said Black Cap Colin Munro, backing his 146 with a 142, had adopted an aggressive approach and reaped the benefits.