Former Black Cap Jimmy Neesham found the right time to produce his first Ford Trophy century for the Auckland Aces,
He scored 128 off only 82 balls in the Aces’ 91-run Elimination Final win over the Central Stags.
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Neesham previously had two tons for the Wellington Firebirds in his lengthy career, and his maiden Aces ton was also a new List A career best — overtaking his unbeaten 120* for the capital in 2018/19, and leaving his 2024/25 season best of 69 far behind.
After the Aces had been sent in by Central Stags captain Jayden Lennox, Neesham and Bevon Jacobs found themselves together in the middle of a sunny University of Otago Oval with both batters yet to get off the mark, at 50/4 after 12 overs.
The pair remained together for the next 19 and a half overs, rescuing the Aces’ innings with a 145-run fifth wicket stand which was a new Auckland record for the wicket in their one-day matches against the Central Stags.
Neesham was the chief destroyer of the Stags’ hopes of making Sunday’s Grand Final, pummelling eight hard hit sixes alongside his dozen boundaries.
His knock got off to an explosive start, and he reached 50 off just 30 balls before resetting himself through a Stags mini-fightback and going on to three figures off just 66 balls.
The Stags had fought hard for early wickets, right-arm paceman Brett Randell (4/49) impressing in his opening spell of six overs, from which he returned 2/14 — including the big wicket of Aces captain and dangerman Finn Allen whom he bowled on 13.
But Neesham was waiting in the wings and, after three wickets had fallen in the space of four overs before first drinks, seized his opportunity to take control of the meat of the innings.
Jacobs did not look quite as omnipotent at the crease, but slowly gained traction and momentum to finish with a handy 51 off 66 balls.
The Stags came back at the Aces with wickets, and for a time looked on to stop their opponent from reaching 300 on a belter of a pitch.
But 19-year-old Lachie Stackpole, the Aces rookie with a previous best of 22 in this format, had other ideas, coming in at eight to smash a quick maiden half century with three sixes included in his 36-ball 50, before he was run out in a muddle.
Chasing the Aces’ 327/9, the Stags needed almost seven runs an over from the outset.
Tom Bruce (37) planted leg-spinner Adi Ashok onto the roof of the Otago Daily Times Stand, but his wicket at 130/4 in the 24th over - left-arm paceman Ben Lister snaffling a good return catch, was hot on the heels of Jack Boyle’s dismissal to Ashok and arrested Central’s early momentum.
Neesham had meanwhile already picked off both openers, continuing a good all-round day to finish with 3/53 with the ball while Ashok picked up 3/55.
The Stags ran out of wickets in a tough chase despite a fighting unbeaten 69* from youngster Curtis Heaphy who will finish as one of the competition's top reun-scorers this season. Central was all out for 236 in the 44th over and Sunday’s Grand Final in Dunedin.