Seifert smashes fastest century
Tim Seifert has scored the fastest century in Twenty20 domestic history.
The Northern Districts wicketkeeper-batsman thumped nine sixes and nine fours in roaring to 107 off 42 balls for the Knights against the Auckland Aces in Mount Maunganui on Saturday night.
Seifert got to his ton in 40 balls, five faster than the previous record held by Jamie How for Central Districts against Wellington in 2012.
Seifert also surpassed the previous best individual tally by a Northern Districts batsman in the domestic Twenty20 competition of 94 by Peter McGlashan in the 2005-06 season against Wellington.
His knock helped the Knights reach 214-9e in their 20 overs batting first.
‘‘It was just one of those nights that go your way – a couple of mishits which went for six – it was enjoyable,’’ Seifert told Sky TV.
The Aces gave the big target a real rattle as their openers also struck out early.
The in-form Glenn Phillips cracked 65 off only 38 balls (six
(T Seifert 107 off 42 balls, A Devcich 33 off 32; B Lister 3-30 off 4 overs) beat (G Phillips 65 off 38, R O’Donnell 42no off 20, C Munro 31 off 17) by seven runs. fours and three sixes) while Black Caps T20 opener Colin Munro made 31 off 17.
Three dropped catches allowed Auckland to stay in contention before falling narrowly short despite a rapid unbeaten 42 off 20 balls from Robbie O’Donnell.
The hosts at Bay Oval were given a super start by openers Anton Devcich and Seifert after skipper Dean Brownlie won the toss.
Left-hander Devcich took advantage of some short-pitched bowling on a good track by hitting five fours in making 33 from 32 balls,
He fell a couple of balls after suffering an injury.
Allrounder Brett Hampton was used as a floater in the batting order.
He came in at number three and swiped the first two balls he faced for six off leggie Tarun Nethula among his 28 off 12 balls.
Ben Lister was the pick of the Aces bowlers with 3-30 off four overs.
The Knights were coming off a loss in Hamilton on Friday night to the defending champion Wellington Firebirds, while Auckland started their campaign this week with a home win over the Central Stags.