Firebirds’ title toast on hold

Sixteen years ago a fresh-faced Jeetan Patel and Luke Woodcock beamed as they hoisted the trophy and celebrated with their Wellington team-mates at the Basin Reserve.

This week amid a sombre backdrop the Firebirds won their first first-class title since that day in 2004, and don’t know when they can even gather to uncork the bubbly, let alone clutch the prized Plunket Shield.

‘‘I had a celebratory drink [on Monday night] with my partner and nearly four-year-old son, which was nice,’’ said coach

Glenn Pocknall.

The Firebirds, 26 points clear of Central Stags with two rounds to play, had their bags packed to fly to Napier before NZ Cricket ended the season and declared them the winners on Monday, due to the heightened risk of coronavirus in planes and hotels.

Pocknall fully understood the reasons for the cancellation, having seen widespread anxiety at Auckland Airport on their trip home last weekend. Still, their sudden victory was difficult to comprehend in the current climate.

‘‘It’s bizarre, it’s strange, it hasn’t really sunk in because we haven’t had an opportunity to have that winning moment you normally get in a game of cricket,’’ Pocknall said.

‘‘You walk off the field or someone hits the winning runs, you have a team chat after the match. Unfortunately we haven’t had that opportunity because of these circumstances which is a shame. But that’s the way it is.’’

Instead, a flurry of messages flew around the group, including from a jubilant Patel, who called time on a 20-year Wellington career earlier in the season to become spin bowling consultant with England. Woodcock, also recently retired, played his part as a batting adviser and mentor.

NZ Cricket’s annual awards scheduled for next Monday, and Cricket Wellington’s next Friday, were both postponed so the official team gathering and photos with the shield remains on ice. ‘‘We need to do it in an appropriate way.’’

It was Pocknall’s first season as head coach, having served as assistant to Jamie Siddons then Bruce Edgar. Under captain Michael Bracewell they emulated the Stags who won the T20 Super Smash and Plunket Shield double the previous season.

‘‘Everyone is over the moon that we’ve won. It’s been a goal – not just for the team but the wider cricket community in Wellington – since 2004. It’s the shield that’s always eluded us in that time. We’ve got close but never quite been able to get over the line,’’ Pocknall said.

‘‘To do it now is a pretty satisfying moment for the team.

And the right decision was made – we’re 26 points clear and were clearly the best team over the six rounds played. In that regard I’m glad that common sense prevailed.’’

Wellington’s innings and seven run victory over Auckland last Friday, combined with the Stags’ tense three-wicket loss to Otago, clinched the Firebirds’ big lead. They weren’t certainties had it gone the distance, but were awfully hard to catch.

Pocknall said one of the satisfying stats was that seven of that XI had 10 or fewer first-class matches.

‘‘We’ve got really good people involved who are prepared to listen and get better. Guys’ games have gone through the roof.’’