Plunket Shield returns for final game at Eden Park

The Auckland Aces are back in Plunket Shield mode ahead of their final home game of the season tomorrow. They host the Otago Volts at Eden Park Outer Oval.

The match sees the return of BLACKCAPS test opener Jeet Raval before the test series against Bangladesh.

Auckland is currently second on the Plunket Shield ladder, finishing the first part of the competition with wins over Canterbury and Northern Districts.

Aces head coach Mark O’Donnell says the team is looking to continue that form into this final segment of the competition.

“We have four rounds of Plunket Shield left and there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to push for the title,” he says.

“Everyone is fit and ready. It’s been good to see our red-ball bowlers getting overs in with Auckland A, and to see batsmen scoring centuries in those games.”

After this match, the Aces finish the season with three away games.

“We want to make the most of our final game at Eden Park,” says O’Donnell, “We always enjoy playing at the Outer Oval so we’re after a good send-off to the summer here.”

He adds that the Plunket Shield requires a change in mindset after six weeks of T20.

“Four-day games are about winning segments. We’ll take it ball-by-ball and session-by-session to come away with the result.”

The Auckland Aces play the Otago Volts in round five of the Plunket Shield at Eden Park Outer Oval on 21 to 24 February. Each day’s play starts at 10:30. Entry is free.

Auckland Aces squad to play Otago Volts:
Robert O’Donnell (C)
Graeme Beghin
Jamie Brown
Mark Chapman
Danru Ferns
Ben Horne (WK)
Ben Lister
Matt McEwan
Glenn Phillips
Jeet Raval
Sean Solia
Will Somerville

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