A middle-order batsman and superb fieldsman, Ned Sale played one match for Auckland in 1904–05, and none in 1905–06.

Playing for his club Parnell in January 1906, he made a record score for Auckland senior cricket of 284 in four hours out of a team total of 411.

In the first he opened in the second innings and made 66 in 90 minutes,[2] putting on 112 for the first wicket with James Lawrence, but it was not enough to prevent defeat.

[5] The Free Lance said of his fielding after the victory over the MCC: "As a fieldsman ... Sale is as good as we have seen on the Basin Reserve for many a day.

He covers a tremendous lot of ground, has a fine safe pair of hands, and picks up the ball cleanly every time.