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Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Wellington batter Devon Conway reached his 18th century first-class against Auckland on Sunday.
Carry on this way and the Black Caps will eventually have to find a way to put Devon Conway on their trial side.
Wellington’s scoring machine drew its first century Plunket Shield of the season on Sunday against Auckland, its 18th first-class tonne.
The South African-born Conway is eligible to represent New Zealand after completing his three-year residency and will participate with New Zealand A in a three-day touring match against the West Indies starting Friday in Queenstown.
Conway, the top run scorer in all three formats for the Firebirds last summer, was the Plunket Shield’s top run scorer entering the fourth round (253-42.16), but had yet to score three figures this season.
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He achieved that milestone, becoming a starring role Sunday alongside Wellington captain Michael Bracewell at the Basin Reserve.
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Devon Conway, pictured in a previous match, hit 149 not-out for Wellington against Auckland in the Plunket Shield.
The duo combined for a 261-run unbroken third wicket position, helping Wellington rebuild from 55-2 to a dominant 312-2 on stumps, in response to Auckland’s 279 total innings in the first inning.
Conway was undefeated at 149 with Bracewell there with him at 123.
It was Conway’s 18th first-class ton and Bracewell’s eighth.
After a poor start in the Plunket Shield for defending champion Wellington, losing their first three matches, the Conway and Bracewell partnership was desperately needed.
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Wellington captain Michael Bracewell batted a century against Auckland and combined for a great third partnership with Devon Conway.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead will be eager to see how Conway fares against the West Indies team in their three-day match, which will be followed by a four-day match from November 26-29.
With four tests at home against the West Indies and Pakistan this summer, Conway would need an injury to make the top five, given how well the starters have performed in past series.
Keep producing red ball races and the Black Caps think tank will have to seriously contemplate how they squeeze Conway into their XI for future test series in 2021 and beyond.
Ken McClure put Plunket Shield leaders Canterbury in a commanding position against Otago after scoring 165 at Alexandra.
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Ken McClure, pictured earlier this season, scored 165 for Canterbury against Otago in Alexandra.
Opening innings with Black Cap Tom Latham, McClure, who usually hits four, dazzled by hitting 19 fours and six on his hit. It was his first-class fifth ton and another example that once McClure hits three figures, he kicks in and makes the opposition pay.
Black Cap Henry Nicholls, who played his first Plunket Shield game of the season after returning from a calf injury, scored a confidence-boosting 87, teaming up for a 198-run second wicket tier with McClure.
Nicholls will also participate for New Zealand A in the two games against the West Indies while getting a valuable look at the tourists ahead of the two test series, which will begin on December 3 in Hamilton.
Canterbury was 424-4 on stumps in his first innings, leading Otago by 256 runs. It continues with a perfect start for the Plunket Shield for new coach Peter Fulton, whose charges have won almost every session to start the season.
Meanwhile, in Nelson, the northern districts have an advantage over the center after two days.
Test goalkeeper BJ Watling scored 77 in Northern’s 347s, while captain Joe Carter (66) and Brett Hampton (59) were also in the runs.
Black Caps legend Ross Taylor went 45 for Central before James Baker sent him on his way and hit him up front.
Central was 161-4 late in the game, trailing Northern by 186 runs in the first inning.
Plunket Shield round four.
In Molyneux Park, Alexandra: Otago 168 (Nick Kelly 50; Ed Nuttall 3-42, Fraser Sheat 3-48) v Canterbury 424-4 (Ken McClure 165, Henry Nicholls 87, Tom Latham 63)
In Basin Reserve, Wellington: Auckland 279 (Mark Chapman 95, Ben Horne 57, Glenn Phillips 54, Kyle Jamieson 51; Iain McPeake 4-53) v Wellington 312-2 (Devon Conway 149th, Michael Bracewell 123rd; Jamieson 2-55)
In Saxton Oval, Nelson: Northern Districts 347 (BJ Watling 77, Joe Carter 66, Brett Hampton 59, Ish Sodhi 42; Seth Rance 5-64) v Central 161-4 (Ross Taylor 45, Tom Bruce 39th, Greg Hay 39; Sodhi 2-53)
