Squad News: ACES Look To Hold The High Ground In Round 3

The Auckland ACES return home to Kennards Hire Community Oval this week for Round 3 of the Plunket Shield, taking on the Wellington Firebirds in a four day contest from Friday 5 December to Monday 8 December.

The ACES step into this round in excellent shape, leading the Plunket Shield table after two rounds of composed, disciplined red ball cricket. Their recent draw against Northern Districts still showcased both the maturity of the group and the growing confidence within the squad. With momentum building and the group settling into its rhythm, Auckland will be intent on protecting their place at the top of the standings.

Wellington arrive at Eden Park sitting at the opposite end of the table, but the Firebirds will be determined to disrupt the ACES early season charge. There is always danger in an opponent with nothing to lose, and the ACES will understand the need for clarity and patience across the four days.

Conditions at Kennards Hire Community Oval often reward quality batting in the long format, but this surface has also opened the door for spinners willing to work in partnerships. Auckland will again turn to the experienced Adi Ashok and the rapidly rising Rohit Gulati, whose contrasting styles have produced some telling results already this season. Gulati, in particular, has been the breakout story of the early rounds. His maiden ten for against Northern Districts propelled him to the top of the competition wicket tally, where he now sits with fifteen wickets. His 6/51 and Jock McKenzie’s 5/35 remain the two best bowling figures in this year’s Plunket Shield, reflecting the collective pressure and balance of the ACES attack.

The ACES host the Wellington Firebirds from Friday 5 December to Monday 8 December at Kennards Hire Community Oval. Each day begins at 10.30am. Entry is free, with the match livestreamed on New Zealand Cricket’s YouTube channel. Keep up with live scoring at https://scoring.nzc.nz and stay across match updates on Auckland Cricket’s social channels.

Match details:
Auckland ACES vs Wellington Firebirds
Plunket Shield Round 3
Fri 5 December to Mon 8 December, 10.30am
Kennards Hire Community Oval, Eden Park
Free entry
Livestream on NZC YouTube

Auckland ACES squad:

Adi Ashok - Suburbs New Lynn
Cam Fletcher - Suburbs New Lynn
Rohit Gulati - Papatoetoe
Ryan Harrison - East Coast Bays
Bevon Jacobs - Hibiscus Coast
Harrish Kannan - Cornwall
Simon Keene - North Shore
Ben Lister - Suburbs New Lynn
Jock McKenzie - North Shore
Dale Phillips - Howick Pakuranga
Sean Solia - Suburbs New Lynn
Lachie Stackpole - Howick Pakuranga

Unavailable due to injury: Angus Olliver, Jordan Sussex.

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