Bell closing in on Wellington run-scoring record

CRICKET WELLINGTON MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Bell closing in on Wellington run-scoring record

Wellington Firebirds captain Matthew Bell could become Wellington cricket’s leading all-time first-class run scorer when he leads the team in this week’s round six Plunket Shield match against the Auckland Aces at Colin Maiden Park.

Bell, who returns to captain the side after breaking his toe whilst playing in a HRV Cup match against the Northern Knights in January, is 43 runs shy of Wellington cricket’s all-time first-class run-scoring record.

If he achieves this milestone he will take over from Bruce Edgar (6,494 first-class runs for Wellington) as the province’s leading all-time run accumulator. Bell currently has 6,452 first-class runs for Wellington and moved into second place ahead of Robert Vance (6,440) during the Firebirds’ last match against the Central Stags before Christmas.

Bell also recently passed the milestone of 3,000 runs in domestic One-Day cricket, (scored for both Northern Districts and Wellington).

Bell’s opening partner Josh Brodie has been forced to withdraw from this match after breaking his finger at Firebirds training on Tuesday.

Also on the injured list are Dewayne Bowden, Harry Boam and Mark Gillespie.

Bowden has tendonitis in his right knee and has been deemed not fit enough to play 4-day cricket, Boam has a torn abductor muscle and Gillespie has been suffering continued discomfort, delaying his return to first-class cricket.

Wicket keeper Chris Nevin is fit to play after recovering from a right quad strain.

If selected to play, top order batsman Michael Pollard and fast bowler Sunnie Chan will make their first-class debuts for Wellington. Both played in the recent One-Day competition.
Pollard was selected in the Firebirds’ Plunket Shield squad in matches before Christmas but has yet to make his debut. Chan has previously played two matches for Canterbury in 2006/07.

The Wellington Firebirds squad to play the Auckland Aces in the sixth round of the 2009/10 Plunket Shield at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland, from Thursday 25 February – Sunday 28 February, is:

Matthew Bell (captain)

Michael Burns

Sunnie Chan

Cameron Merchant

Chris Nevin

Neal Parlane

Jeetan Patel

Michael Pollard

Stewart Rhodes

Robbie Schaw

Malaesaili Tugaga

Luke Woodcock

This fixture is the first of five remaining matches in the 2009/10 Plunket Shield, with the leading side on the points table at the end of the 10 match round-robin declared the winner.

At the halfway mark of the Plunket Shield, Wellington is currently fourth equal behind leaders the Northern Knights.

The points table is:

Northern Knights 26, Canterbury Wizards 20, Otago Volts 18, Central Stags 16, Wellington Firebirds 16, Auckland Aces 0 

Wellington’s Plunket Shield fixtures for the rest of the season are:

Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 February v Auckland Aces, Colin Maiden Park Auckland
 
Thursday 4 – Sunday 7 March v Northern Knights, Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve
 

Friday 12 – Monday 15 March v Central Stags, Mclean Park Napier
 

Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 March v Canterbury Wizards, MainPower Oval Rangiora
 

Monday 29 March – Thursday 1 April v Otago Volts, Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve
  

ENDS

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