Nick Greenwood's quickfire 45 sparked Wellington's massive total, but it was Logan van Beek's four‑for that sealed a dominant 202‑run victory for the home side at the Basin Reserve on a sunny Wednesday night.
Match Summary
Winning the toss, Northern Brave elected to bowl under clear skies with a gentle 17.8°C breeze. Wellington capitalised, posting a formidable 354‑7 in 50 overs. The innings was anchored by Greenwood’s 45 off 43 balls, while Brett Hampton and Cooper Rowell chipped in with useful contributions and disciplined bowling figures of 1/54 from eight overs and 4/91 from nine overs respectively.
In reply, Northern Brave’s top order crumbled under the pressure of Wellington’s attacking seam attack. Despite a brief resistance, they were bowled out for 152‑10 in just 35.1 overs. Logan van Beek’s incisive spell of 4/31 in seven overs turned the chase into a rout, while Adam Milne added three wickets for 32 runs.
Key Performances
Batting: Greenwood (45 off 43) provided the spark early on, rotating the strike and finding the boundary at crucial moments. His innings, though not a half‑century, was vital in maintaining a healthy run rate. The middle order contributed steady runs, ensuring Wellington never lost momentum.
Bowling: Logan van Beek was the standout bowler for Northern Brave, dismantling the opposition with figures of 4/31. His variations and disciplined line kept Wellington’s batsmen in check during the middle overs. Adam Milne’s 3/32 complemented van Beek’s effort, while James Hartshorn’s tidy 1/23 offered early breakthroughs.
Turning Points
The match hinged on two decisive moments. First, Greenwood’s aggressive start prevented Wellington from slipping into a slow accumulation phase, allowing them to build a platform for a 354‑run total. Second, van Beek’s spell in the 15th over of the chase broke the backbone of Northern Brave’s batting, removing set batsmen and triggering a collapse that saw them lose their last six wickets for just 30 runs.
Another subtle turning point was the weather – a sunny day with only a 7% chance of rain meant the pitch stayed true, rewarding the bowlers who could swing the ball under the mild humidity.
Series Implications
This emphatic win propels Wellington to the top of the Ford Trophy 2026‑27 table, extending their lead over Northern Brave, who now sit behind with a heavy defeat. Wellington’s dominant performance not only boosts their net run rate but also sends a clear message to other contenders about their batting depth and bowling firepower.
For Northern Brave, the loss highlights the need to tighten their top‑order technique against disciplined seam attacks. The four‑wicket haul by van Beek will be a confidence booster, but the team must regroup quickly if they hope to stay in contention for the knockout stages.
Overall, the Wellington vs Northern Brave List A clash was a showcase of high‑octane cricket, with the home side delivering a comprehensive victory that will be remembered for Greenwood’s quickfire cameo and van Beek’s match‑winning spell.
Samuel Morgan
Nick Greenwood
Gareth Severin
Jesse Tashkoff
Muhammad Abbas
Oscar Jackson
Brett Hampton
James Naylor
Cooper Rowell
Josh Brown
Snehith Reddy
Henry Cooper
Nick Kelly
Joe Carter
Robert O'Donnell
Xavier Bell
James Hartshorn
Adam Milne
Logan van Beek
Yahya Zeb