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Canterbury has started the fourth round of the Plunket Shield in a dominant fashion and Black Caps starter Tom Latham is set for a big score when they resume their first inning against Otago in Alexandra on Sunday.
On the first day against the Volts in the Deep South, the competition leaders ruled out the hosts by 168, Nick Kelly their leading scorer at 50 after winning the toss, while Canterbury bowlers Ed Nuttall and Fraser Sheat they took three plots each at Molyneux Park on Saturday.
Canterbury is first in the standings after three straight wins and can take a giant step towards victory No. 4 with a solid hitting performance on the second day. They’re going for 72 after Latham and his starting teammate Ken McClure finished the first day with 45 and 43 respectively.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Tom Latham can go big for Canterbury on day two against Otago (FILE PHOTO).
Latham is one of the best in the business to convert hundreds from this position and the southpaw can lead the charge as Canterbury tries to erase Otago’s small lead and build his own, starting at 96-0.
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He was absent in his final game, a resounding victory against the Northern Districts by one inning and 32 runs, and another international returner for Canterbury who will be ready with the bat is Black Cap Henry Nicholls, who is back after an injury at the bat. calf in No. 3.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Henry Nicholls is also back for Canterbury and ready to hit on Sunday.
The Black Caps return to international cricket in Twenty20s against the West Indies this month and play two events in Hamilton and Wellington in December.
Meanwhile, the Auckland Aces, who started the fourth round second behind Canterbury, were eliminated by 279 after being hit by Wellington in the Basin Reserve.
Former Black Cap Mark Chapman broke 95 of 125 balls, but failed to reach his century as Auckland lost ground at regular intervals. Firebirds sailor Ian McPeake was the best pitcher at 4-53.
The fifties for Ben Horne, Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson propelled Auckland to 300 in the capital, but Wellington hit before the stumps, going 27-1 in eight overs, losing to Black Cap Tom Blundell by two, eliminated by his international teammate Jamieson.
Wellington will resume with a 252 run deficit and Rachin Ravindra (17) and Devon Conway (7) undefeated in the fold.
Elsewhere, the northern districts were 223-6 in the stumps after winning the draft and hitting the Central Stags at Nelson’s Saxton Oval.
Black Caps goalie / hitter BJ Watling was their leading scorer with 77. His scoring rate was slow, but Watling and Joe Carter (66) led the visitors past 200.
Blair Tickner landed Watling’s crucial wicket in the final session and resuming on day two will be the undefeated pairing of Brett Hampton (21) and Tim Southee (15).
TAKE A LOOK
Plunket Shield, day one of the fourth round
In Saxton Oval, Nelson: Northern Districts 223-6 (BJ Watling 77, Joe Carter 66; Raymond Toole 2-33) against Central Stags.
At Molyneux Park, Alexandra: Canterbury 96-0 (Tom Latham 45th, Ken McClure 43rd) Otago trail 168 butt (Nick Kelly 50; Ed Nuttall 3-42, Fraser Sheat 3-48) for 72 runs.
TO Basin Reserve, Wellington: Wellington 27-1 Auckland trail 279 (Mark Chapman 95, Ben Horne 57, Glenn Phillips 54, Kyle Jamieson 51; Ian McPeake 4-53) for 252 runs.
