The top-of-the-table Auckland ACES have named an impressive looking XI for tomorrow’s clash against the Wellington Firebirds. 

BLACKCAPS Mark Chapman and James Neesham will turn out for their domestic side following their involvement in the ICC World Cup in India last month.

This marks Neesham’s first match for Auckland since 2010/11 and is a homecoming of sorts, as he started his professional career for the ACES in the 2009/10 season. 

He and Chapman will slot into the middle order of the batting lineup in place of George Worker and Will O’Donnell with Auckland fielding an otherwise unchanged XI. 

ACES Head Coach, Doug Watson, looks forward to having the pair in action at the ACES home ground: “The boys are chuffed to be back playing at Eden Park and it’s awesome that we have Chappy and Neesh available for this fixture.

“The boys are tracking well and are fizzed to be playing against Wellington, who are a good team with a good bowling attack in particular,” said Watson.

This match, while serving as an important warm-up for the high profile Super Smash, is valuable in its own right with Auckland sitting at the top of the Ford Trophy ladder, one point ahead of Northern Districts and Central Stags, after three wins from their first four matches. 

There are a number of injuries to the ACES fast bowling stocks with Simon Keene (ankle), Harjot Johal (pectoral) and Yahya Zeb (shoulder) all unavailable. Lockie Ferguson is returning to match fitness after ICC World Cup commitments.

Entry is free for tomorrow’s match and it will be live scored and live streamed through scoring.nzc.nz or through NZC’s YouTube channel.

The toss is at 10am with first ball bowled at 10:30am.

Ford Trophy Round Five
Auckland ACES vs. Wellington
Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland
Wednesday 13 December, 10:30am
 

FH Allen (Suburbs New Lynn)

A Ashok (Suburbs New Lynn)

MS Chapman (Parnell)

LJ Delport (East Coast Bays)

DK Ferns (Takapuna)

CD Fletcher (East Coast Bays)

RD Harrison (East Coast Bays)

BG Lister (Suburbs New Lynn)

JDS Neesham (Suburbs New Lynn)

JJ McKenzie (North Shore)

RR O’Donnell (Takapuna)

SM Solia (Suburbs New Lynn)

Article added: Tuesday 12 December 2023