The fifth round of New Zealand’s premier first-class competition began on Wednesday, March 5, after the mid-season break. At the Eden Park Outer Oval in Auckland, the home side elected to field first against Central Districts.
They took three early wickets as Simon Keene, Jock McKenzie and Danru Ferns struck to leave Central Districts at 75-3 in 24 overs. That brought wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver to the crease, joining skipper Tom Bruce – one of only two other players with international experience in the side, having played 17 T20Is for the Black Caps.
The pair each scored centuries, and put on 292 before Cleaver was dismissed for 116. Bruce, however, went on to complete a double century and at the end of day one was unbeaten on 212, with his side on 414-4.
Bruce went past the 250 mark in the first session of day two (Thursday). Post-lunch, he eventually breached the 300 mark, getting there in 379 balls even as batting partner Josh Clarkson brought up his own century.
The 33-year-old then accelerated with 45 runs in his next 21 balls, but had to depart for 345 in loose fashion – an attempted sweep shot off left-arm spinner Louis Delport took the edge and was pouched by keeper Cam Fletcher. Central Districts eventually declared at 700-5, the fifth-highest innings total in New Zealand first-class cricket.
His final score is the tenth triple century, and third-highest individual score in first-class cricket in New Zealand. Only the legendary Bert Sutcliffe has ever scored more, with scores of 355 for Otago against Auckland in December 1950, and 385 for Otago against Canterbury in December 1952. In the latter, the next-highest score in the innings was No.8 Alan Gilbertson’s 29.