Cricket: Knights' three pronged attack puts Aces off their game

Northern Knights captain Brad Wilson. Photo / APN

The Northern Knights drew first blood against Auckland as the domestic cricket season got under way yesterday, with their three-pronged pace attack doing the damage in Whangarei.

Knights' captain Brad Wilson won the toss and elected to bowl at Cobham Oval, a decision which was soon vindicated by Black Cap-in-waiting Trent Boult.

The 22-year-old left-arm quick, who spent the winter touring with New Zealand A, kick-started his Plunket Shield campaign with a five-wicket bag as the Knights restricted Auckland to 250-9. Bolt removed former New Zealand test opener Tim McIntosh for two in the fifth over, before dismissing Brad Cachopa for 37 from 129 balls.

The two other quicks in Northern's intimidating attack, Tim Southee and Brent Arnel, then tore through the heart of the Aces' order. Southee claimed veteran Neal Parlane, before Arnel removed Andrew de Boorder for 64 and Auckland captain Gareth Hopkins for 13.

Boult returned to take the wickets of Colin de Grandhomme, Andre Adams and Bruce Martin and finish with figures of 5-48, his fourth five-for in first class cricket.

But Auckland's last wicket stand held firm for the final five overs, and the Aces ended the day at 250-9.

The wickets also tumbled at Nelson Park in Napier, as Wellington and Central Districts shared the honours on day one.

After being sent in by Wellington captain Grant Elliott, the Stags got off to a flying start, with Peter Ingram and Jamie How putting on 136 for the first wicket. But in the third over after lunch, How was run out for 46 by Wellington youngster Harry Boam, triggering a collapse which saw the Stags lose seven wickets for 44 runs.

Debutant Scott Kuggeleijn was the chief destroyer, taking three quick wickets to expose the home side's middle order.

The exception to the day's play came in Rangiora, where bat dominated ball and Canterbury lost only four wickets on their way to 286 at stumps.

Rob Nichol notched a ton after opening the batting for the Wizards in the all-southern encounter with Otago.

Nichol's opening salvo was ended on 107 by English international Steven Finn in the first over after tea but, by that point, Canterbury were in control, and the late loss of Shanan Stewart for 61 barely took any gloss from a solid day at the crease. Teenagers Tom Latham (40no) and Henry Nicholls (6no) saw Canterbury through to stumps, setting them up for an imposing first-innings total.