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Fresh on the decks after coming in for regular keeper-batsman DANE CLEAVER - who was busy blasting a first-class career best 196 against India A for New Zealand A, 21-year-old keeper-batsman BAYLEY WIGGINS almost hit a century in his first List A bat for the Central Stags.

It was only his second Ford Trophy game, having debuted on Wednesday in Nelson. Down the order on debut, he hadn't been required to bat on that occasion, as the Stags powered to 345 for two. But regular Hawke's Bay opener Wiggins opened the batting at Pukekura Park on Sunday, and grabbed the chance with both hands.

Sent in by the Aces, it wasn't long before he was hooking BLACKCAP Kyle Jamieson for four in a classy one-day knock that showed off his lovely timing and placement, combined with sharp running between the wickets.

While the rest of the top order got starts, Wiggins took control. After playing out Jamieson's first over — a maiden, he got off the mark with a single off Ben Lister before swiping Jamieson for his first two boundaries.

The innings kept gathering momentum and by drinks he was already on 43* with the Stags trucking nicely at 88 for one.

A couple of overs later, a boundary and single off the last two balls of Danru Ferns' 19th saw Wiggins waving the bat for the first time in the Staggies green: his maiden half ton off 61 balls, with eight fours, straight off the bat.

Picking up the pace, the first of Wiggins's three sixes then came off spinner Louis Delport — just before he lost partner Ben Smith, caught off Delport at 135/2 in the 26th. Finn Allen’s 27th over then went for 13 as Wiggins went over the rope twice more.

After having shared a 57-stand with George Worker (32) and 78-stand with Smith (25), the Stags had a good start as the big hitters - firstly Kieran Noema-Barnett and then Josh Clarkson - entered the arena to look for the boundaries.It only partially came off, however.

Noema-Barnett fired 27 off just 20 balls, but was caught just inside the rope at 170 for three. Clarkson carried on for a 44 at better than run a ball, but his usual style had been tempered by then by the loss of wickets.

So back to Bayley Wiggins, who quickly got a new stand going with Clarkson after Noema-Barnett’s 30th over exit.

By the 35-over mark, the youngster was poised on 96*, opening pacemen Jamieson and Lister both back into the attack trying to get him out, the Stags now 204 for three.

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Look away now if you don’t want to see it.

A couple of singles off Jamieson took him to 98*, turning the strike over to Clarkson for the next five balls. Left-arm Lister, now, and a dot.

The players’ tent was focussed, ready to go up for a piece of rookie magic.

Instead, Lister’s next ball was a pearler that knocked over his leg stump. Bowled on 98, off 109 deliveries. Even though it was the wicket they wanted, the Auckland Aces barely celebrated as the moment reverberated around the park.

Wiggins departed at 213 for four, having delighted the crowd for almost 38 overs of the innings and top-scoring before the rest of the Stags went on to bat out the 50 overs for 282 for eight.

Veteran opener Jeet Raval then answered in kind for the visitors by reaching his third List A century — having hit his maiden back when he was a Stag in The Ford Trophy record stand with Jamie How at Seddon Park.

Sunday's effort was his second ton for the Aces, to go with another big knock at Colin Maiden Park against Canterbury a couple of seasons ago with the BLACKCAPS discard out to prove a point.

The class 118 off 120 at Pukekura Park was the fifth ton of The Ford Trophy summer, and so nearly the sixth.

Raval guided his side into the 42nd over before Robbie O’Donnell (46) and their in-form finisher Ben Horne (31* off 20) lifted the run rate to ensure they got home with no trouble, with two overs to spare.

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The win put the Aces into the playoffs, and they may be on their way to a home Grand Final pending the results of the last two rounds.The Stags now head to the Basin Reserve for this Wednesday’s penultimate round needing to win two from two and for other results to go their way in order to sneak into the top three.

Then the team returns to Pukekura Park this Sunday looking for a big win over Canterbury, who are also in with a shout of hosting a Final, and will be motivated for a big finish.

Gates open at 10am, toss at 10.30am and first ball from 11am with tickets available at the gate on game day or free entry for SPIKERS, Pukekura Park Pass members and Marbles Buffet free ticket promotion holders.

Article added: Tuesday 04 February 2020