Day 1: Knights trail by 54 runs with 9 wickets in hand

A six wicket haul by strike bowler Graeme Aldridge has the Northern Knights in the driver seat at the end of the first day of their Plunket Shield match against the Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.

The quick bowler ripped out both openers to have the Firebirds in early trouble at 18 for two before decimating the lower order to finish with six for 57. 
 
It is the second time Aldridge has bagged six wickets this year after recording career best figures of six for 49 earlier in the season.

Wellington’s form batsmen Luke Woodcock (33) and Stewart Rhodes (24) got starts while wicketkeeper batsman Chris Nevin top scored with resilient 53 as the home side was bowled out for 193.

Any concerns about the pitch being responsible for the low score were quickly dispelled by Knights batsmen Michael Parlane and Kane Williamson who piled on the runs.

The pair came together in the in the first over after opener BJ Watling got a second ball duck and took the score through to 139 for 1. 

Parlane, usually the aggressor hit 54* with young Williamson dominating the scoring with 74* to put the Knights in complete control at 139 for one at stumps