**Wellington Firebirds Defeat Auckland Aces by 4 Wickets in The Ford Trophy**
In a low-scoring affair at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui on October 23, 2024, Wellington Firebirds secured a 4-wicket victory over Auckland Aces in The Ford Trophy.
**Auckland Aces Batting Highlights**
Batting first, Auckland struggled to build momentum and were restricted to 140 all out in 50 overs. The standout performance came from **MH Sclanders**, who top-scored with 35 off 50 balls, hitting 2 boundaries at a strike rate of 70.00. **Adithya Ashok** contributed 23 runs from 31 balls, including three fours, with a strike rate of 74.19. **Cam Fletcher** added 20 runs off 47 balls, but his strike rate of 42.55 highlighted Auckland’s difficulties. **William O’Donnell** chipped in with 15 runs from 47 balls.
**Wellington Firebirds Bowling Highlights**
Wellington’s bowlers dominated, led by **Peter Younghusband**, who took 3 wickets for 29 runs in 10.1 overs, maintaining a brilliant economy rate of 2.85. **Michael Snedden** bowled superbly, picking up 2 wickets for 28 runs in his full quota of 10 overs. **Nick Greenwood** also made an impact, claiming 2 wickets for just 14 runs in 5 overs, while **Yehya Zeb** picked up a wicket for 31 runs in 6 overs.
**Wellington Firebirds Batting Highlights**
In response, Wellington chased down the target of 141 in 30.5 overs, finishing at 141/6 to win by 4 wickets. **Tim Robinson** anchored the innings with a crucial 72 runs off 95 balls, striking 7 fours and playing at a strike rate of 75.78. **Nathan Smith** supported him well, scoring 27 off 38 balls, including 3 boundaries. Despite a mini-collapse that saw **Nick Greenwood** and **Nick Kelly** dismissed for ducks, Wellington got over the line comfortably.
**Auckland Aces Bowling Highlights**
For Auckland, **Lockie Ferguson** was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 33 runs in 8 overs at an economy rate of 4.12. **Jock McKenzie** provided good support with 2 wickets for 43 runs in 9 overs. **James Neesham** was the most economical, conceding just 8 runs in 3 overs at a miserly economy rate of 2.66. **Adithya Ashok** struggled, going wicketless and conceding 26 runs in 4.5 overs with an economy rate of 5.37.
Wellington Firebirds’ well-rounded bowling effort and Tim Robinson’s composed knock secured them a deserved win over Auckland Aces in this Ford Trophy encounter.
Now Auckand Aces has 4 points from two matches and Wellington Firebirds have 5 points from two matches. After Two round Canterbury is on Top with 10 points from two matches. Central Districts has 0 points from two matches.
