Golden summer for Stags seamer
It’s been a summer of success for Wairarapa cricketer Seth Rance.
The Wairarapa College old boy went from strength to strength with his Central Stags team, ending up equal top wicket taker in the Mcdonald’s Super Smash competition.
His 15 wickets nearly helped propel his team to a competition win. In the end, though, it wasn’t to be.
‘‘The Twenty20 campaign went really well right up to the final,’’ Rance said.
‘‘Going into it we were top of the table, while I was top of the wicket table by a long way. To lose it was definitely disappointing.’’
For a while, things were looking good for the Stags, with opponents Wellington on the ropes midway through the innings. Then, thanks to some explosive lower-order batting, things just slipped away.
‘‘Yeah, absolutely we were in control for a while there,’’ Rance said. ‘‘Nine times out 10 you don’t lose from the position we were in.’’
Nonetheless, it doesn’t take the shine off a brilliant season. This year, Rance was entrusted with the allimportant role of death bowler by Central captain Mahela Jayawardene.
To get a vote of confidence from someone of Jayawardene’s stature – one of the great Sri Lankan batsmen – was a boost.
‘‘Yeah, I played with Mahela last season as well, and he’s an amazing guy to play alongside,’’ Rance said.
‘‘His understanding of the game is world-class. There aren’t too many in the world like that, I’m very lucky.’’
Rance has been a member of the Central team off and on since 2009. After a strong start, his career was stalled by serious ankle and shoulder injuries, but he’s since fought his way back to become one of the team’s senior members.
His future is looking busy. The Ford Trophy oneday competition is set to get under way this weekend, with Central going in as defending champions. Rance was the top wicket taker in that competition last year, too.
He’s also casting his eye to the lucrative T20 leagues dotted throughout the world.