ollie westbury was amongst the runs on his debut for grafton united cc on day one of an auckland cricket premier men’s tom hellaby championship match against ellerslie cc.
the worcestershire opener hit an unbeaten 84 to help his side take a firm grip on proceedings after bowling out home side ellerslie for 151 in 51.4 overs.
westbury, who made his specsavers county championship debut against champions surrey in september, struck six fours in his 141 ball knock spanning 182 minutes.
he shared in a fourth wicket partnership of 125 with dylan taylor who was dismissed for 70 from the final ball of the day.
grafton closed the opening day on 218-4 – a lead of 67. the match will be concluded next weekend.
george rhodes is also having a spell of grade cricket in new zealand this winter in wellington and has linked up with onslow cc for a second spell.
but the worcestershire all-rounder has so far been frustrated by the weather.
both of onslow’s opening two games in the ewen chatfield 50 over competition against petone-eastbourne and hutt district were abandoned without a ball being bowled.
ed barnard has returned to australia for a second stint in three winters with scarborough after a successful season with worcestershire.
the england lions player spent saturday in the field in the western australian cricket association first grade encounter with visiting melville.
barnard took one catch – off andrew tye – but is not bowling during his opening few weeks down under as he recharges his batteries after his exertions at New Road.
he will be hoping to make an impact with the bat next weekend after melville were bowled out for 288 in 90 overs.
callum ferguson was dismissed for 17 as south australia were bowled out for 230 in the second innings of their sheffield shield clash with victoria who, after being set a 124 target, reached 22-2 by the close.
*other worcestershire players will also soon be heading abroad and you can keep in touch with how they fare during the winter via the worcestershire ccc website and social media platforms.
