Captains lead the way as State Shield gets underway

An unbeaten innings of 84 from State Central Stags captain Mathew Sinclair has moved the right hand batsman to the top of the State Shield MVP table and second in the overall rankings. Sinclair has had a strong start to the season in both the State Championship and now in the one day form of the game, with his side unbeaten to date and top of both competition ladders.

Sinclair says “I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season, and it’s great to be able to lead from the front in both competitions.”

Central Stags teammate Ewen Thompson took 3 for 52 in the victory over the State Auckland Aces at the weekend, securing his place at the top of the overall MVP table for another week.

State Wellington Firebirds skipper Matthew Bell has also had a solid start to the season, and his 74 not out on Sunday was crucial in leading his side to victory over the State Northern Knights. Bell is fifth in the State Shield MVP table and eighth overall.

MVP TOP FIVE AT A GLANCE
1. Thompson, Ewen (CD) 136.87 points
2. Sinclair, Mathew (CD) 121.02
3. Franklin, James (WLG) 117.11
4. Napier, Graham (WLG) 110.23
5. De Grandhomme, Colin (AKL) 99.93

STATE Shield top five
1. Sinclair, Mathew (CD) 20.44 points
2. Napier, Graham (WLG) 19.19
3. Thompson, Ewen (CD) 19.03
4. Martin, Chris (AKL) 17.79
5. Bell, Matthew (WLG) 16.45