Whanganui professional Ben Smith has made a good start to his preseason with the Central Stags after scoring 63 from 66 balls in the 51-run win over Auckland A in a one-day game in Napier on Wednesday.
Coming in at No 3 after the Stags lost their first wicket in the second over, Smith joined Greg Hay (127no) to put on a 125-run partnership until Smith was caught in the 26th over.
He hit four boundaries and a six.
The Stags made 297-4, then restricted Auckland A to 246-8 after their 50 overs.
Smith also played in a drawn two-day match with the Auckland Aces on Monday, scoring 19.
