Fletcher proves too much for Canterbury

A final-over thriller, a dream debut and runs aplenty highlighted the opening day of the Ford Trophy as Auckland, Wellington and Central Districts all made winning starts to the season.

WELLINGTON v CANTERBURY at Basin Reserve, Wellington

Opener Andrew Fletcher celebrated his List A debut with an unbeaten maiden first class century to lead Wellington to a comfortable seven-wicket victory.

Set 287 to win after the home team won the toss, Fletcher finished with a superb 132 not out, decimating the Canterbury attack with 15 boundaries and a six.

It was a day of milestones for Wellington as wicketkeeper Lauchie Johns set a New Zealand List A record of seven catches in an innings, just one shy of the world record.

Fletcher was the last player added to Wellington’s contract list in June and he made the most of his opportunity yesterday.

The 25-year-old faced 155 balls, combining with fellow opener Malcolm Nofal (50) and Devon Conway (58) to reach the target with almost three overs to spare.

Ollie Newton and Hamish Bennett had three wickets apiece for Wellington, the latter claiming the key wicket of Cole McConchie for 90 in the 41st over.

McConchie put on 125 for the fourth wicket with Henry Nicholls (62) to rebuild Canterbury’s innings after they had slumped to 33-3. The lower order did well to push the visitors towards 300 but always looked well short once Fletcher got going.

AUCKLAND v NORTHERN DISTRICTS at Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland

A sensational unbeaten century from Auckland opener Sean Solia overshadowed Trent Boult’s (3-61) Ford Trophy return as the defending champions pulled off a dramatic fightback.

Solia carried his bat with an expertly-crafted 133 off 138 balls, holding the Auckland innings together to chase down Northern Districts’ target of 269 with just two wickets and two deliveries to spare.

CENTRAL DISTRICTS v OTAGO at Saxton Oval, Nelson

A mammoth opening partnership between Ben Smith and Greg Hay laid the platform for Central Districts’ 37-run win over Otago.

Smith (93) and Hay (82) set the tone with a 167-run stand in Nelson as Central made 269-7 after being sent into bat.

Otago’s response featured a number of starts. However, other than Josh Finnie’s 63, no one managed to kick on before a lower-order collapse saw them dismissed for 232 in the 45th over.