Cricket: Firebirds show CD bowlers no mercy

Seth Rance. Photo / ODT

It's bad enough for bowlers to be whipping boys in twenty20 matches but smack a postage stamp on the venue and their deliveries quickly assume Fastpost status.

That's what happened to the Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags yesterday at a postage stamp-sized Eden Park, Auckland, when the Wellington Firebirds pummelled their bowlers into submission for an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

Ramped up after a six-wicket win against the Auckland Aces in the Georgie Pie Super Smash weekend round on Friday, the Firebirds yesterday won the toss to restrict CD to a below-par 145-6 in 20 overs.

The Heinrich Malan-coached Stags, who had to be content with staying on one win after a rained-out Saturday, again struggled to eke out runs. Just opener George Worker showed some assertiveness after mustering 58 from 50 balls.

No3 Jamie How offered promises but holed out at deep mid-wicket for 28 (18 balls).

Asked if CD lacked genuine pinch hitters, Stags seamer Seth Rance said allrounder Kieran Noema-Barnett and How were capable, but it was a little disappointing they weren't able to get going.

CD's much-vaunted pace attack also came undone in what resembled a roadkill as the Firebirds eclipsed their target with 146-2 and four overs to spare.

No3 Stephen Murdoch, a traditionally four-day batsman, showed how it was done with a bolshy 61 not out from 35 balls.

Opener Michael Pollard provided the platform with 44 (38) while veteran Aussie import Brad Hodges was unbeaten on 38.

All CD bowlers went for more than 8.5 runs an over, bar Rance who took 1-19 from three overs (6.33).

"That's the thing with guys who send the ball down at around 150km/h. On a small boundary they go flying," said Rance who bemoaned how some days some of those shots off the stick would have gone to hand but yesterday they got no cigar.

He felt that taking the pace off wasn't on the agenda.

"The rub off the green went against us so the balls top-edged for sixes."

Rance was pleased with his effort despite not getting too much swing into the crisp breeze so he adroitly opted to change tactics.

"I use a leg spinner tactic where I release the ball from the back of my hand, which is something I've been working on with Jake Oram," he said of the CD bowling consultant.

The Stags have six points and head to Wellington this weekend to start fresh in another round.

"We're still confident of making the playoffs," Rance said.