Bayley Wiggins, take a bow.

At the top of the Central Stags order, the 21-year-old's first three knocks of his Ford Trophy/List A career have produced a 98, a three, and a maiden 103, for a batting average of 68 straight off the bat.

The cruel 98 at Pukekura Park a week ago wasn't his debut game - that came in the previous round in Nelson, a high-scoring win against the Volts where he'd been slotted in down the order with no need to wield his bat.

But it was his maiden List A innings, a half century and then pushing on until - as we held our collective breath - he was bowled on 98 by an almost apologetic Ben Lister.

Possibly the toughest walk back from the middle ever seen at the ground, so you can just imagine the nerves in the whole house when Wiggins found himself on 98* again, and then 99* at second drinks, just one week later, at the very same ground in Taradise.

This time the Stags were playing Canterbury, and, by now they were a dead duck in the competition with just pride to play for.

A hard-working youngster scoring a heartwarming maiden century was just what the doctor ordered.

 

Lightning quick between the wickets, Wiggins scored his first 50 off 49 balls, with 40 of his runs coming in boundaries.

Wiggins carefully constructed the base of his innings and then escalating into the 90s.

He then picked his way through those 90s with his Hawke's Bay teammate Brad Schmulian out there in support, and even hogging the strike.

There was a nervous moment on 99* taking off for an eager single before having to scamper back into his crease, bit finally the big moment came off just 89 balls (14 x 4, 2 x 6) as he tucked Todd Astle down the legside for a cheeky quick single.

Despite Wiggins's maiden ton for the Stags, it would be another flat finish after Canterbury opener Chad Bowes responded with a career best century of his own, unbeaten as the red and blacks waltzed off to the Elimination Final with a nine-wicket win.

Perhaps the best sight of all, though, in a curious way, was Wiggins's utter frustration with himself after popping up the dolly to the keeper on 103.

Never mind the ton. After having batted for 37 overs - surviving four partners to give the team a chance, he knew he'd just scotched an opportunity to kick on and inflate the scoreboard.

THE SCORECARD

The Stags' 237 would indeed not be enough as Canterbury controlled their run chase, but a youngster's lofty goals and high standards were there for all to see - and an exciting find for the future.

Prior to this summer, the genuine keeper-batsman from Hastings' Cornwall Club had filled in for one Super Smash game on T20 debut at the Basin - helping out with a boundary in an unbeaten cameo down the order against the Firebirds.

Both times Wiggins had stepped in as a like-for-like for Dane Cleaver who on this occasion was off to score a first-class career best 198 for New Zealand A. The question next season may be whether one or the other gets to play as a specialist batsman, as Cleaver did in his early career when Kruger van Wyk kept wicket.

Article added: Tuesday 11 February 2020