Auckland welcomes new captain for Plunket Shield

Wednesday 5 December 2018

The Auckland Aces are eager to be putting the whites back on when they host Canterbury in their Plunket Shield match starting tomorrow, and will be doing so with a new captain at the helm.

Usual captain Michael Guptill-Bunce us out of contention with a cracked thumb.

Robert O’Donnell has been named as the 69th Auckland First-Class Captain.

“It’s a real privilege to be given the opportunity to captain Auckland,” says O’Donnell.

“I’ve been part of the team for six seasons and there have been a lot of great captains, so I’ll just be looking to put my own twist on it to get things done.”

O’Donnell is excited to be leading a team with a lot of talent in the ranks.

“It’s great to have Chappy and Glenn back to strengthen our batting.”

“This a great chance for a fresh start with some fresh faces, and everyone loves a good four-day match.”

Coach Mark O’Donnell says there have been some selection headaches with a number of players in-form.

Auckland A had a comprehensive win in a recent three-day match against Wellington A, throwing the spotlight on some players.

“We’ve brought Louis Delport as a spin option after he took 10 wickets for Auckland A in Wellington,” says Mark O’Donnell.

“But with that, we have had to leave Danru Ferns out of the squad.”

He says it was a hard call to make as Ferns had a strong Ford Trophy.

“However, it’s good to see Jamie Brown get an opportunity in the Plunket Shield for the first time this season.”

Finn Allen scored 170 not out in the Auckland A match, and there’s a dangerous look about the batting as Glenn Phillips returns from New Zealand A, and Mark Chapman is available in his first Plunket Shield match for 2018/19.

The Auckland Aces play Canterbury in round three of the Plunket Shield at Eden Park Outer Oval on 6 December to 9 December. Each day’s play starts at 10:30. Entry is free.

Auckland Aces squad to play Canterbury:
Robert O’Donnell (C)
Finn Allen
Michael Barry
Graeme Beghin
Jamie Brown
Mark Chapman
Louis Delport
Ben Horne (WK)
Ben Lister
Matt McEwan
Glenn Phillips
Sean Solia

ends

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