Plunket Shield: Matt Boyle leads Canterbury to victory over Northern Districts in big week for family

Friday, 21 November 2025

Canterbury batsman Matt Boyle (file photo).

Matt Boyle sealed a memorable week for the cricketing siblings by guiding Canterbury to a five-wicket victory over defending Plunket Shield champions Northern Districts on Friday.

The 22-year-old notched his highest first-class score of 156 not out - just his second century - to help his side cruise to their target of 370 late on the final day at MainPower Oval, Rangiora.

Boyle steadied the ship as Canterbury teetered in the face of a hostile spell of pace bowling from ND’s South African-born speedster Josh Brown.

They were 51-4 and a long way off their target when Boyle strode to the crease, after Brown removed Scott Janett, Michael Rae and Cole McConchie. Captain Rhys Mariu had also departed, surprisingly, for his second single-figure score of the match.

Boyle and opener Chad Bowes put on a decisive 166 for the fifth wicket as the free-scoring Bowes raised his 12th first-class century. He was also clouted on the helmet twice in one over by Brown bouncers after reaching three figures, and underwent on-field concussion tests, before visiting skipper Jeet Raval removed him for 118.

Boyle was also struck on the helmet by a short one soon after, but fought through to reach his hundred off 187 balls and pass his previous best score of 116. His knock featured 20 fours and a six in all, and completed an outstanding match after he topscored with 70 in the first innings.

Black Caps white ball wicketkeeper Mitch Hay was solid in support as the pair put on an unbroken 154. Hay was unbeaten on 59 at the end as the home side got there in the 94th over.

Otago’s Jack Boyle takes the attack to Wellington’s bowlers at the Basin Reserve.

Canterbury joined Otago and Auckland as the outright winners from round one, with Boyle’s older brother also a key figure further north in a proud few days for their father Justin Boyle - a former Canterbury opener.

Jack Boyle racked up 156 - his third century and highest first-class score - in Otago’s first innings of 522-9 declared which proved too much for Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve.

Chasing just 96 for victory on the final day, there were some minor wobbles from the southern men before they got home by seven wickets.

Boyle and fellow first innings centurymaker Tom Jones - the 19-year-old on first-class debut - both departed cheaply in the run chase but opener Jacob Cumming completed a memorable match with 42 not out.

Cumming was a third Otago centurymaker in the first innings with 113 - his maiden first-class ton in an opening stand of 210 with Boyle.

Glenn Phillips was 28 not out at the end after an encouraging comeback in his first match since suffering a groin injury in July. The Black Caps frontliner also took 5-107 for the match with his offspin, which may bring him into contention for an international comeback in the second test against West Indies in Wellington on December 10 - assuming he is not deemed ready for the series opener in Christchurch on December 2.

Another test player Tom Blundell will have caused Black Caps coach Rob Walter some concern with his meagre scores of 3 and 3 against Otago. The gloveman is not in danger of being dropped yet, but Hay is closing in fast as a genuine test contender.

Auckland beat Central Stags by an innings inside three days in Palmerston North, thanks to 148 from Lachie Stackpole and a haul of 5-46 from left-arm spinner Rohit Gulati.

The second round starts next Wednesday, with Kane Williamson expected to turn out for ND against Auckland in Tauranga, while Wellington host the Stags and Otago host Canterbury where the Boyle brothers will go head to head.

Round one wrapup

At Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North: Auckland Aces 406 beat Central Stags 191 and 154 (Taylor Bettelheim 62; Rohit Gulati 5-46) by an innings and 61 runs.

At Basin Reserve, Wellington: Otago 522-9 dec and 92-3 (Jacob Cumming 42no) beat Wellington Firebirds 224 and 393 (Nick Kelly 150, Jesse Tashkoff 97, Gareth Severin 65; Matt Bacon 3-53, Glenn Phillips 3-60) by 7 wickets.

At MainPower Oval, Rangiora: Northern Districts 237 and 380-8 dec (Bharat Popli 116, Henry Cooper 63, Aryan Mann 54no; Angus McKenzie 3-72) lost to Canterbury 248 and 371-5 (Matt Boyle 156no, Chad Bowes 118, Mitch Hay 59no; Josh Brown 3-61) by 5 wickets.

Points: Auckland 20, Otago 20, Canterbury 17, Northern 5, Central 4, Wellington 4.