The Wellington Firebirds have sprung back from a first-up loss to early leaders the Auckland Aces with a well controlled five-wicket win over hosts the Otago Volts as Ford Trophy domestic cricket returned to Queenstown for the first time since 2015.

Volts skipper Jacob Duffy elected to bat, but his side’s 229 for five wasn’t enough to threaten the visitors who chased it down with four and a half overs in hand — consistent force Devon Conway top-scoring with 79.

After an early wicket in the first over of the chase for Volts paceman Blair Soper - on his Ford Trophy debut, Conway presided over the batting crease for the next 32 overs, sharing stands of 95 with Rachin Ravindra for the second wicket and 73 with Jimmy Neesham for the fourth.

Twenty-year-old Ravindra produced a half century on Ford Trophy debut for the Firebirds - his sixth List A cap overall, having made his debut in the format for New Zealand A last season.

Soon after spinner Dean Foxcroft had managed to prevent another Conway century this season, Neesham’s departure in the 37th over saw the Firebirds needing 40 further runs for the win, but allrounders Malcolm Nofal and Jamie Gibson saw the job through, with plenty of time to spare.

Earlier, revitalised Volts opener Nick Kelly had backed up his first-round century with a patient 65, knuckling down for two hours of his side's innings.

After his removal in the 32nd over, the Firebirds made regular breakthroughs, however.

From a platform of 138 for two, the Volts struggled through to 229 for nine as the visitors regained the ascendancy at John Davies Oval.

Article added: Thursday 21 November 2019