Canterbury have everything to play for in their final round of Plunket Shield cricket against Auckland at Rangiora’s Mainpower Oval on Saturday, following a 9-wicket demolition of the Wellington Firebirds.

The victory was set up by a career-best century from captain Cole McConchie, while Matt Henry’s five wicket haul in the first innings and 4-31 in the second did the damage with the ball.

McConchie scored 162 runs before being caught by former Cantabrian Hamish Bennett off the bowling of Ollie Newton. He then chimed in with an unbeaten 37 along-side Steven Murdoch’s 62 not out, which he added to the 60 he scored in the first innings to guide Canterbury home with a large part of the final day still to play.

The home side netted the maximum 20 points available from the round six clash and now lie just one point behind the Aces, in third spot, shaping up as one of the three leading contenders for this season’s championship title.

 

Image credit: Hagley Oval.