Form reversal for Latham
Spare a thought for Sri Lanka’s test bowling attack.
In 889 balls they could dismiss Tom Latham only twice in the two-match test series against the Black Caps; yesterday, Northern Knights spinner Anton Devcich took just one ball to send the Black Caps hero packing.
Latham scored 450 runs at an average of 225 with a highest score of 264no over the two test matches.
Such was his workload, Latham was given the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka off.
The Black Caps test opener made a much-anticipated return to cricket for the Canterbury Kings in their T20 Super Smash match against the Northern Knights at Hagley Oval yesterday but was dismissed on the opening ball of the match.
Latham flicked a ball from Devcich to mid-wicket where Daryl Mitchell took the catch.
His golden duck was a blow for the Kings, who somehow came up short in a last-over thriller.
The Kings, who have struggled in the T20 competition so far, posted a competitive total of 193-5 from their 20 overs but went down in a nailbiting finish to lose by two wickets.
Northern were always behind in the run chase but lusty hitting from Knights captain Daniel Flynn gave his side hope late in the innings.
Just five runs were needed from the final over and Canterbury seamer Ed Nuttall removed former England quick Chris Jordan – who had scored 17 from 8 balls – with the first delivery to make it five runs from five balls.
With the equation at three runs from three balls, following a single and a leg bye, Scott Kuggeleijn – who was this week named in the Black Caps T20 squad to play Sri Lanka – hit Nuttall for a six over mid-wicket to hand the Knights the victory.
Earlier, Katie Gurrey and Eimear Richardson starred for the Northern Spirit as their power hitting helped their side to a thrilling last-over, fivewicket win over the Canterbury Magicians in the women’s T20 Super Smash.
The loss left the third-placed Magicians needing other results to go their way to make the final on January 20. Top-of-the-table Wellington Blaze are now assured of one berth, and Auckland Hearts can join them if they beat Otago on Sunday.
Northern Spirit, in pursuit of 166 for victory, needed just three runs from the final over and Felicity LeydonDavies made short work of it with a four from the opening ball.
Northern won the toss and inserted Canterbury on a flat deck at Hagley Oval; not even an unbeaten 129-run partnership from the Magicians’ Kate Ebrahim and Frankie Mackay was enough for the home side.
Canterbury’s total of 165-2 looked competitive until Spirit opener Gurrey got going early.
She gave her side a rapid start to the run chase as she brought up her 50 in just 32 balls, but two balls later she was caught on the boundary by Gabby Sullivan from the bowling of Mackay for 55. Gurrey smashed the Canterbury bowlers all over Hagley Oval as she hit nine fours and a six.
Coming in at No 5, Richardson was equally as devastating with 43 from just 21 balls in an innings that included seven fours and one six.