Super Smash 2021-22 | Match Review | Henry Shipley’s terrific new-ball spell decimates Auckland

Henry Shipley, the all-rounder from Canterbury worked his magic with the new ball against Auckland Aces on January 18, 2022, at Hagley Oval. Chasing a substandard score of 155 runs, Auckland were thrown into the sheds by Shipley's near-perfect line and lengths. He whistled past the Aces top order, reducing them to 16/3 in just 5.3 overs.

They never really recovered from Shipley's early burst. The Aces skipper Robert O’Donnell tried his bit to bring his team back in the contest with his 56 off 37 balls. 

It was thought that after his dismissal with the team score of 90, they would surrender easily, but a seventh-wicket partnership of 44 runs between William Somerville and Lockie Ferguson sparked a fight within the camp. Matt Henry dismissed the latter with the penultimate ball of the final over, ending a courageous knock of 30 runs off 19 balls.

Eventually, they ended up at 136/7 in 20 overs as they bowed down to Canterbury by a margin of 18 runs. Shipley’s magical spell read 4-0-14-3, and he was well supported by Ed Nuttall, who chipped in with a couple of wickets.

Earlier, the Aces skipper Robert O'Donnell won the toss and asked Canterbury to bat. Despite losing an early wicket in the first over, the Kings did not falter. In the powerplay overs, Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell dominated the Aces, putting up a 49-run stand for the second wicket. 

However, as things were easing, Latham was trapped by Ferguson on 34. His partner, Mitchell also chipped in with a fine 30, after holing Aditya Ashok out at long-on. However, there were no big runs from the rest of the batters, forcing them to go all-out for 154 runs in 19.5 overs.

Ashok was impressive with his figures of 4-0-33-3, while Ben Lister and Ferguson took two wickets apiece.

Now, Canterbury now sit in second place with 24 points from eight games. Despite the loss, Auckland is fourth in the standings with 16 points from the same number of games as Canterbury.

Canterbury will lock horns with Northern Knights on January 21, 2022, while Auckland plays Wellington on January 20, 2022.                 

Brief Scores

Auckland Aces– 136/7 (20)

Robert O’Donnell- 56 (37), Henry Shipley 3/14 (4)

Canterbury Kings– 154 (19.5)

Tom Latham- 34 (19), Aditya Ashok- 3/33 (4)

Canterbury Kings won by 18 runs.