Cricket: Bens chime in to give Stags fighting chance

Ben Wheeler

Two Bens, Wheeler and Smith, have picked up the rhythm since returning from injury like they never left.

Wheeler posted the superb figures of 3-73 from 29 overs, including nine maidens, for the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags on day two of their first-class match against the Canterbury Kings, in Nelson, yesterday.

"I was a little bit rusty in the first spell in Whangarei but I've managed to get back into the groove," said Wheeler last night after the visitors declared just before lunch on 9-463 on the foundation of Andy Ellis' 112 runs, Ronnie Hira's 88 and Henry Nicholls 74.

"I had a broken finger but didn't lose that much strength," he said.

Fellow opening seamer Seth Rance had 3-132 after Ellis took a little shine to him although the batsmen was dropped once.

CD will resume today on 215-5 with rookie Tom Bruce 41no and Dane Cleaver 12no.

Opener Smith, back from a broken foot, scored 80 runs while others got starts but didn't carry on as Ellis wreaked havoc.

Wheeler said it was a tough wicket, offering a greenish tinge on day one but flattening out relatively quickly after a few overs.

"My third wicket was a slower delivery for a caught and bowled."

CD feel they are still in contention and the plan is to declare before they reach what they believe is a par score from the Kings.

The "small tail" should frustrate Canterbury who are expected to make a game of it, too.