Super Smash 2021-22 | Match Review | Sean Solia's lionhearted knock takes Auckland over the line!

Sean Solia, the savior, the winner for Auckland Aces as they managed a heist against the hapless Otago Volts on January 15, 2022, at the Eden Park. Chasing a relatively small target of 131, the Aces were decimated by the top-quality bowling spells from both Anaru Kitchen and Jacob Duffy. They ran through the top and middle order of the Aces batting line-up. The Aces were reduced to 26/6 in just 6.3 overs. 

At this point, Solia in support of William Somerville negated Volts fire with a match-winning partnership of 77 runs for the seventh wicket. When the Aces were at 103, it was Kitchen once again who got their team back in the game by cleaning up Somerville at 25 (27). The 37-year “young” spinner finished with his miraculous figures of 4-0-11-4. 

After this hiccup, Lockie Ferguson 14 (5) stepped in and landed a couple of lusty blows making sure that they were close to the target. However, in the final over, Auckland needed four runs. Angus McKenzie added spice to the match by picking up Aditya Ashok on the second ball. But Ben Lister, on the other hand, had other plans, as the number 11 batter struck a boundary off the fourth ball to bring them home. As a result, Sean Solia remained unbeaten on 67 off 54 balls.

Earlier in the day, Otago batted first after winning the toss. Hamish Rutherford and Neil Broom gave them a solid start of 58 runs for the opening wicket. But as soon as they fell in a matter of overs, they lost wickets in a flash and skittled out for 130 runs. Lister, Ferguson, Somerville, Glenn Phillips, and Aditya Ashok all contributed by scalping two wickets apiece.

With this one-wicket victory, Auckland moved up to fourth place in the table, with 16 points from seven matches. Meanwhile, Otago is firmly entrenched in last place. 

Now, Auckland will play Canterbury on January 18, 2022, while Otago will have a game at Canterbury on January 23, 2022.        

Brief Scores

Auckland Aces– 133/9 (19.4)

Sean Solia- 67 (54)*, Anaru Kitchen 4/11 (4)

Otago Volts – 130 (19.4)

Neil Broom- 32 (17), Glenn Phillips- 2/11 (2)

Auckland Aces won by 1 wicket.