[ad_1]
Kerry Marshall / Getty Images
Devon Conway threw 67 on top of the Wellington order.
Devon Conway picked up where he had left off as the Black Caps laid the groundwork for Wellington’s second straight win to kick off the Super Smash season over the Central Stags.
After resting from Thursday’s opening win over Auckland, Conway threw 67 at the top of the order to propel the Firebirds to 175-7 after being sent at bat at McLean Park. The visitors’ bowling attack rebounded from a fickle start to secure an impressive 39-run victory.
Conway took a couple of overs to adjust to the pace of the field, but once he got underway, the Stags had no answer for the brilliant southpaw until his dismissal in the 19th.
He clearly benefited from hitting in Napier’s field just five days earlier, when he scored the leading scorer for the Black Caps with 63 in the third T20 against Pakistan. On this occasion, Conway’s superb shot counted with five fours and two sixes, and he came out with only 51 balls.
READ MORE:
* Super Smash: Fast fifty for Finn Allen when Wellington Firebirds beat Auckland Aces
* Australia vs India: Ajinkya Rahane century puts tourists in control of MCG Boxing Day event
Black Caps vs Pakistan: Kane Williamson satisfied with his effort in the first ‘difficult’ innings
After Finn Allen (11), Rachin Ravindra (4) and Jimmy Neesham (9) went cheap, Conway found the necessary support from skipper Michael Bracewell, who scored 35 in 21 deliveries.
And when Bracewell went on a rough catch by diving forward for Christian Leopard, Jamie Gibson (20 of 12) stepped in with a late cameo before rookie Joey Field eliminated him and Conway in the same change.
Center starters George Worker (27) and Bayley Wiggins (17) got off to a happy start in the run chase, going 37-0 after four overs.
However, the firing of Logan van Beek from Wiggins caused the boundary to dry up as the turn of Peter Younghusband and Ravindra put the hosts in shackles.
Worker skied Younghusband straight to van Beek before Tom Bruce (1) was knocked down by Ravindra in the next over trying to cross the line.
Dane Cleaver (29) and Josh Clarkson (30) showed signs of coming back. But Cleaver’s wicket to closer Hamish Bennett, who finished 2-20, marked the beginning of the end as Wellington cruised to another victory.
At McLean Park, Napier: Wellington Firebirds 175-7 (Devon Conway 67 of 51, Michael Bracewell 35 of 21; Blair Tickner 2-30, Joey Field 2-32) beat Central Stags 136-9 (Josh Clarkson 30, Hamish Bennett 2-20, Rachin Ravindra 2-22) for 39 races.
Stuff MVP Points: Devon Conway 3, Rachin Ravindra 2, Blair Tickner 1
