Otago’s huge defeat a little predictable

OTAGO followed a ninewicket win with one of its largest defeats in history.

Wellington powered to an impressive total of 301 for six at the Basin Reserve yesterday.

South Africanborn duo Andrew Fletcher and Devon Conway combined in a damaging 152run stand.

Fletcher stroked 125 from 150 deliveries — his second oneday hundred in three games — while Conway blasted 74.

Former Otago batsman Michael Bracewell clubbed a valuable 66 not out as well.

The chase was calamitous, brief and, well, a little predictable. The Volts were rolled for a paltry 108. The 193run loss was Otago’s thirdhighest defeat in the competition history.

The collapse did not come as a great shock. Otago’s top order has offered as much stability as a onelegged stool in recent seasons.

The comprehensive win against Northern Districts in Hamilton on Sunday was a blip in what has been a long lean period for the team.

Inform opener Hamish Rutherford was able to enhance his reputation, though. He topscored with 44 before gloving a hook shot through to the keeper.

However, the rest of the lineup proved adept at hitting the ball to fielders on the full or getting themselves run out. It was an unfortunate series of mediocre dismissals noone in the Otago camp will want to watch again.

Former Otago allrounder Jimmy Neesham took three for 17 and could not help a smirk when Josh Finnie lofted a half volley to Ben Sears.

Batting was not the only issue for Otago. The bowling was best described as erratic if the extras conceded are a reliable guide.

Sometimes the opposition get away on you. They score runs and plenty of them. But you do not want to give the opposition freebies.

The Volts conceded 27 wides. Fast bowler Warren Barnes was the worst offender with eight and seamer Nathan Smith was close behind with seven.

Cocaptain Jacob Duffy leads the attack and will have plenty to ponder before the Volts’ first home game, which is against Central Districts on Sunday.

He will, though, be quite happy with his own form. He was easily the best of the Otago bowlers with two for 45 from 10 overs.

Both wickets came in the last over when the slog was on but he proved frugal and bowled well in tandem with Smith at the top of the innings.

Smith picked up a wicket with his second ball and Wellington laboured early while Conway and Fletcher were getting established.

Once they did, though, the run rate was no longer a problem.

Fletcher hit many of his 11 boundaries down the ground but perhaps his best blow was a cut shot over backward point for six.

Conway dispatched length through cover or point, while Bracewell was more heavyhanded. He bashed anything on his pads for six.

Conway eventually had his off stumped knocked out of the ground by Barnes.

He rather enjoys the Otago attack having plundered an undefeated doublehundred in a Plunket Shield match last month.

Bracewell looks back to his best. His rapid halfcentury helped his side get past the 300 mark.

But Fletcher was the star. He has made a tremendous start to his career with 293 runs from his first three bats in the format. He is averaging a healthy 146.50.

At Hagley Oval, Canterbury held on to beat Auckland by six runs. Henry Nicholls topscored with 89 to help the home side post 243.

Veteran allrounder Andrew Ellis conspired to restrict Auckland to 237 for nine with a miserly eightover spell, while Cole McConchie took three for 41.

The match between Central Districts and Northern Districts in Nelson was abandoned without a ball bowled.