Kings must back up after demolishing Otago Volts

Fresh off their most complete Twenty20 performance in memory, Canterbury Kings cricket coach Gary Stead is challenging his side to back it up.

Canterbury made the perfect start to the T20 Super Smash on Thursday, thrashing the Otago Volts by 134 runs at Hagley Oval, a New Zealand T20 record winning margin.

Spearheaded by 93 off 47 balls from suspended English star Ben Stokes, which included seven sixes, and a dominant team bowling effort, the Kings couldn’t have asked for a better start.

They are back in action against the Central Stags at Nelson’s Saxton Oval tomorrow and Stead said it was important they were consistent with their play.

‘‘We saw it as a chance to have a fresh start. It’s a new competition and we wanted to put our best foot forward early.

‘‘It’s good we got that opportunity to do so. Our challenge is to take that into the next match and maintain that momentum.’’

Stead described the victory as among Canterbury’s most clinical T20 showings since taking over as coach in 2012.

The Kings were superb with the ball, rolling Otago for 83 in 11.4 overs. Todd Astle, Matt Henry, Cole McConchie and Andrew Ellis were all effective against a Volts side, who needed to score quickly from the start, chasing 218.

‘‘It was probably one of the best team performances I’ve seen and the record books will show that with it being our highest score ever [in T20] and the biggest margin.’’

Canterbury have made two forced changes with Astle and Henry both linking up with the Black Caps ODI squad to play the West Indies in a three match series, starting in Whangarei on Wednesday.

They have been replaced by leftarm wrist spinner Blake Coburn and left-arm seamer Andrew Hazeldine, who would both make their Canterbury T20 debuts if they play.

Riccarton opener Nick Kwant made his first appearance for Canterbury in any form against the Volts on Thursday.

Kwant, 20, who has played ‘A’ and age-group cricket for Canterbury, hit nine off seven balls, combining for a 33-run opening stand with Michael Pollard.