November 28, 2025 • 9 mins
The round two Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Central Districts hangs in the balance heading into the final day of the rain-affected match at the Basin Reserve.
The visitors made a surprise first innings declaration at 118 for three, 236 runs behind the Firebirds' first innings score.
Wellington will begin the final day on 124 for four, with a lead of 360.
Firebirds coach Shane Jurgensen joined Adam Cooper to assess the match so far and analyse what the strategy is for the final day.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We have been able to reach make contact with Shane Jergenson,
Wellington Firebirds coach you head of a very exciting Day
four of the Plunket Shield match between the Wellington Firebirds
and the Central Stags. The good news is the sun
shines out, so it should be a full day's cricket.
Shane mooy in to you mate, thanks for your time
and this game is certainly looking at looking to be
a very exciting one hitting into the day.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, I hope so, yeah, yeah, it looks set up nicely.
It's yeah, fantastic weather here in Willington to day. It's
been a rain affected match and yeah, a bold declaration
from the from the Central the Stags to stay up
a game with Tom Bruce and yeah, so I think
(00:44):
at some stage Tom Blundell will no doubt declare and
whether it's straight away or later on, I'll leave that
with Tom and yeah whatever, we feel comfortable because it
looks like a really good wicket now to bat on,
so you never know, it could be a day for
reen one and hopefully yeah, we hope a good result
for us.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Yeah great, Just to remind our listeners with things appen,
you guys declared three hundred and fifty four to nine.
After a couple of days of rain disruption, Central came
in and declared one hundred and eighteen for three and
then the fire is resuming today one hundred and twenty
four for four. That's a three hundred and sixty run lead.
Go back to that Central Stags declaration, Shane, how much
of a shock of surprise was that?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah? It was. Yeah, it was because I think it's
sort of what normally happens. And you know, I quite
appreciate the opportunity for a game to be had because
it could have easily just fizzled out to a long
day of not so much boring cricket. But you know,
there's sort of certainly is an opportunity for a result
(01:50):
for both teams, and I think throughout the season you
have opportunities when you need to capitalize and try and
get the points that you can. Sometimes these type of
games tend to happen at the back into the season
when teams are desperate for points to try and push. Obviously,
with the points system of the plunketshere with no final,
(02:12):
you need to take the points when you can. So yeah,
I think the wicket is a great wicket. There's opportunities
there for bat and ball, and I think, you know,
it's going to be a pretty fair result whatever does
happen today. So yeah, I think it's just a good
proactive move from central districts.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
What will Tom Blundell be weighing up as to when
he decides to make the declaration for Wellington, do you think?
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, Well, he batted really well yes, staff in himself
and he came off and said it's still a good wicket.
There might be something a little bit there. Aj Spttel
was bowling and there was a little bit of turn.
So we're sort of hoping that for us our spinners.
We've got three spinners in our lineup and obviously petty
young husband has been a great performance for us, so
(02:58):
there's an opportunity for him to and I think for
all our bowls to contribute. And I was actually really
happy with the way that we started with the ball yesterday.
I think it was like eight overs, there was I
mean six runs scored, I think something like that, and
then you know, it was really good. So I think
for us it'll be the challenge to try and replicate
(03:18):
that and make the initial breakthroughs and when you make
the initial breakthroughs, it allows the spinners to come into
the game and attack their middle order. So I think
it's trying to have a look at that wicket this
morning and get a bit of a balance of what
it looked like yesterday compared to today, because as I said,
it's the definitely day of the sun and wind. So
this wicket, you know, in past matches I've been here for,
(03:40):
whether it be Test matches or first class games, these
type of weather, the wicket can change quite dramatically within
even just one session.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, and interestingly enough, you chose to bat first after
winning the toss, and I know there's a bit of
discussion around as the basin wicket pre Christmas not always
as traditionally bowl of friendly as it might once have been.
Is that a fear assumption.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
I think it's a mix of the timing of when
we're playing Plunket Shield now, so it's certainly a month later,
which does enable the wicket to be I suppose it's
slightly not like we would normally see in the normal
early part of the season. I think interesting part leading
into this game, six of the seven teams that had
(04:24):
battered first had actually won the game, and I think
you don't need to look too far into because there's
actually some context around it. When to be fair, there's
probably two games from us in those matches where we
were chasing low totals, we didn't make it. So I
think what it does reflect though, is that teams that
(04:45):
do lose the toss and are put in by the
team that won the toss is Obviously it's a wicket
where you definitely are not scared to bat first, and
I think that's always been the case, to be honest
with you, but it's really hard when you see a
wicket that's green and you know a little bit of
moisture there to say, you know, I'm going bat first,
(05:08):
and I think you know, we train on these type
of wickets all the time leaguing into the preseason, so
it's something that's not not familiar for our batters. So
we're quite comfortable with we know if we need to
bat first, we will back wonderful.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Obviously, Tim Robinson will be back at the crease today
alongside Tom Blundell. Tim got his second first class century
and the first innings. Obviously, Shane, everyone around the cricketing
world has certainly been exposed to his capabilities and white
ball cricket with the bat. How pleasing is it for Tim?
Do you think to see some great statements being made
(05:42):
with the red ball too.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah, he certainly has had an excellent start to the
season after some frustrations probably over the last six months
he in terms of he went to England to try
and play some cricket and due to reasons, he didn't
play as much as what he would thought. You know,
he's sort of been he's been on a tour and
didn't play much or in a series of the black Caps.
(06:07):
But now he's you know, it's been awesome for him
to execute and obviously the t twenty hundred for New
Zealand and then for US, and he's always been a
threat to get a hundred's it's all about context of
the games. And Tim has an amazing ability, regardless of
the wicket to go out there and look to score
and execute amazing shots. And I think that sort of
(06:30):
puts him, you know, in a pretty pretty special talent
and ability to score runs in difficult situations, which is
you know you're doing that and then you get some
really good wickets to bat on. His just capitalized. So yeah,
he's been a real consistent performer so far. The season
has been excellent and.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Is your opening. That's but obviously you know, Sam Mike
like a young new player in this team, Jesse Tashkoff,
He's sort of been in the mix for a while now.
Maybe not that the scores they would have wanted, especially
in the first and they play with a little bit
more confidence knowing that that experience and the quality of
players you know, through that middle order.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Oh very much so. And we're still waiting on Moabas
to be available, which will potentially happen soon. Nick Kelly,
who's scored you know, eight hundreds and the last eleven
games leading into this match, And yeah, he certainly allow
yourself to play with freedom when you got and it
depends on the role too. So you know, Sam's no
(07:29):
I nickname him Athers because he can just bat for
really long periods and technically being Mike Affid in the
former England opening batter. Sorry that you used to occupy
the crease for a long time, but I think you
know Sam is a really patient young man and developing.
It's his second season on contract. Jesse has just been
(07:52):
excuse me, excuse me. Has been excellent for us over
us last season really particularly the second half of the season.
A big and Ford trophy, contributed well for the Super
Smash and also ninety seven in the last match and
one hundred in the first class game in the last
game of last year. So for us with Jesse, I
(08:12):
just love the way he plays. He's got a really
natural ball striking ability and when you know that the
batter at the other end of the bowler as the
ability to hit really good balls for four, it just
puts a bit of pressure back on the opening the
opening bowler. So as yeah, really awesome from Jesse and
that's the important contributions that we need throughout the order.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Yeah, wonderful Shane. Great to catch up, appreciate all your insights.
Heading into well I think it's going to be a
really interesting day for good to see the suns out
but a wind as you say as well, so enjoy
the day at the Basin Reserve and he's hoping for
a Wellington victory come the end of the day.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Come on Thingers Cross. Thanks you time, thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Really appreciate it as always, Shane, thanks very much.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
For more from News Talks.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Ed B listen live on air or online, and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on IR Radio
We have been able to reach make contact with Shane Jergenson,
Wellington Firebirds coach you head of a very exciting Day
four of the Plunket Shield match between the Wellington Firebirds
and the Central Stags. The good news is the sun
shines out, so it should be a full day's cricket.
Shane mooy in to you mate, thanks for your time
and this game is certainly looking at looking to be
a very exciting one hitting into the day.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Well, I hope so, yeah, yeah, it looks set up nicely.
It's yeah, fantastic weather here in Willington to day. It's
been a rain affected match and yeah, a bold declaration
from the from the Central the Stags to stay up
a game with Tom Bruce and yeah, so I think
(00:44):
at some stage Tom Blundell will no doubt declare and
whether it's straight away or later on, I'll leave that
with Tom and yeah whatever, we feel comfortable because it
looks like a really good wicket now to bat on,
so you never know, it could be a day for
reen one and hopefully yeah, we hope a good result
for us.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
Yeah great, Just to remind our listeners with things appen,
you guys declared three hundred and fifty four to nine.
After a couple of days of rain disruption, Central came
in and declared one hundred and eighteen for three and
then the fire is resuming today one hundred and twenty
four for four. That's a three hundred and sixty run lead.
Go back to that Central Stags declaration, Shane, how much
of a shock of surprise was that?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
Yeah? It was. Yeah, it was because I think it's
sort of what normally happens. And you know, I quite
appreciate the opportunity for a game to be had because
it could have easily just fizzled out to a long
day of not so much boring cricket. But you know,
there's sort of certainly is an opportunity for a result
(01:50):
for both teams, and I think throughout the season you
have opportunities when you need to capitalize and try and
get the points that you can. Sometimes these type of
games tend to happen at the back into the season
when teams are desperate for points to try and push. Obviously,
with the points system of the plunketshere with no final,
(02:12):
you need to take the points when you can. So yeah,
I think the wicket is a great wicket. There's opportunities
there for bat and ball, and I think, you know,
it's going to be a pretty fair result whatever does
happen today. So yeah, I think it's just a good
proactive move from central districts.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
What will Tom Blundell be weighing up as to when
he decides to make the declaration for Wellington, do you think?
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Yeah, Well, he batted really well yes, staff in himself
and he came off and said it's still a good wicket.
There might be something a little bit there. Aj Spttel
was bowling and there was a little bit of turn.
So we're sort of hoping that for us our spinners.
We've got three spinners in our lineup and obviously petty
young husband has been a great performance for us, so
(02:58):
there's an opportunity for him to and I think for
all our bowls to contribute. And I was actually really
happy with the way that we started with the ball yesterday.
I think it was like eight overs, there was I
mean six runs scored, I think something like that, and
then you know, it was really good. So I think
for us it'll be the challenge to try and replicate
(03:18):
that and make the initial breakthroughs and when you make
the initial breakthroughs, it allows the spinners to come into
the game and attack their middle order. So I think
it's trying to have a look at that wicket this
morning and get a bit of a balance of what
it looked like yesterday compared to today, because as I said,
it's the definitely day of the sun and wind. So
this wicket, you know, in past matches I've been here for,
(03:40):
whether it be Test matches or first class games, these
type of weather, the wicket can change quite dramatically within
even just one session.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, and interestingly enough, you chose to bat first after
winning the toss, and I know there's a bit of
discussion around as the basin wicket pre Christmas not always
as traditionally bowl of friendly as it might once have been.
Is that a fear assumption.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
I think it's a mix of the timing of when
we're playing Plunket Shield now, so it's certainly a month later,
which does enable the wicket to be I suppose it's
slightly not like we would normally see in the normal
early part of the season. I think interesting part leading
into this game, six of the seven teams that had
(04:24):
battered first had actually won the game, and I think
you don't need to look too far into because there's
actually some context around it. When to be fair, there's
probably two games from us in those matches where we
were chasing low totals, we didn't make it. So I
think what it does reflect though, is that teams that
(04:45):
do lose the toss and are put in by the
team that won the toss is Obviously it's a wicket
where you definitely are not scared to bat first, and
I think that's always been the case, to be honest
with you, but it's really hard when you see a
wicket that's green and you know a little bit of
moisture there to say, you know, I'm going bat first,
(05:08):
and I think you know, we train on these type
of wickets all the time leaguing into the preseason, so
it's something that's not not familiar for our batters. So
we're quite comfortable with we know if we need to
bat first, we will back wonderful.
Speaker 1 (05:22):
Obviously, Tim Robinson will be back at the crease today
alongside Tom Blundell. Tim got his second first class century
and the first innings. Obviously, Shane, everyone around the cricketing
world has certainly been exposed to his capabilities and white
ball cricket with the bat. How pleasing is it for Tim?
Do you think to see some great statements being made
(05:42):
with the red ball too.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah, he certainly has had an excellent start to the
season after some frustrations probably over the last six months
he in terms of he went to England to try
and play some cricket and due to reasons, he didn't
play as much as what he would thought. You know,
he's sort of been he's been on a tour and
didn't play much or in a series of the black Caps.
(06:07):
But now he's you know, it's been awesome for him
to execute and obviously the t twenty hundred for New
Zealand and then for US, and he's always been a
threat to get a hundred's it's all about context of
the games. And Tim has an amazing ability, regardless of
the wicket to go out there and look to score
and execute amazing shots. And I think that sort of
(06:30):
puts him, you know, in a pretty pretty special talent
and ability to score runs in difficult situations, which is
you know you're doing that and then you get some
really good wickets to bat on. His just capitalized. So yeah,
he's been a real consistent performer so far. The season
has been excellent and.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
Is your opening. That's but obviously you know, Sam Mike
like a young new player in this team, Jesse Tashkoff,
He's sort of been in the mix for a while now.
Maybe not that the scores they would have wanted, especially
in the first and they play with a little bit
more confidence knowing that that experience and the quality of
players you know, through that middle order.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Oh very much so. And we're still waiting on Moabas
to be available, which will potentially happen soon. Nick Kelly,
who's scored you know, eight hundreds and the last eleven
games leading into this match, And yeah, he certainly allow
yourself to play with freedom when you got and it
depends on the role too. So you know, Sam's no
(07:29):
I nickname him Athers because he can just bat for
really long periods and technically being Mike Affid in the
former England opening batter. Sorry that you used to occupy
the crease for a long time, but I think you
know Sam is a really patient young man and developing.
It's his second season on contract. Jesse has just been
(07:52):
excuse me, excuse me. Has been excellent for us over
us last season really particularly the second half of the season.
A big and Ford trophy, contributed well for the Super
Smash and also ninety seven in the last match and
one hundred in the first class game in the last
game of last year. So for us with Jesse, I
(08:12):
just love the way he plays. He's got a really
natural ball striking ability and when you know that the
batter at the other end of the bowler as the
ability to hit really good balls for four, it just
puts a bit of pressure back on the opening the
opening bowler. So as yeah, really awesome from Jesse and
that's the important contributions that we need throughout the order.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Yeah, wonderful Shane. Great to catch up, appreciate all your insights.
Heading into well I think it's going to be a
really interesting day for good to see the suns out
but a wind as you say as well, so enjoy
the day at the Basin Reserve and he's hoping for
a Wellington victory come the end of the day.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Come on Thingers Cross. Thanks you time, thank you.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Really appreciate it as always, Shane, thanks very much.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
For more from News Talks.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Ed B listen live on air or online, and keep
our shows with you wherever you go with our podcast
on IR Radio
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