Kings must back up
Fresh off their most complete Twenty20 performance in memory, Canterbury Kings 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 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 on Sunday 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They have been replaced by left- arm wrist spinner Blake Coburn and left-arm seamer Andrew Hazeldine, who would both make their Canterbury T20 debuts if they play.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 Canterbury Kings (from): Andrew Ellis (c), Michael Pollard, Nick Kwant, Chad Bowes, Ben Stokes, Cole McConchie, Cam Fletcher, Tim Johnston, Will Williams, Jeremy Benton, Blake Coburn, Andrew Hazeldine. cricket for Canterbury, hit nine off seven balls, combining for a 33-run opening stand with Michael Pollard.
Stead said Kwant’s aggressive batting approach was tailor-made for T20, but he was guilty of overhitting, which he would learn from.
‘‘He hits the ball a long way. He hits a big ball and plays with no fear. If he gets going, he can take an attack apart and that’s what we like about him.’’
Chad Bowes is desperate for runs after a first-ball duck against the Volts and scores of 0,12 and 4 in the Ford Trophy 50-over competition.
Bowes had Canterbury’s backing and Stead was confident he could regain form with a productive display in the middle.
‘‘He’s been out what you’d consider a couple of unlucky ways. He hasn’t really had much go his way.
‘‘If the tide is going to turn and it does, I think he’ll get a big one. He’s a very good player and we’ve seen that in the past and that doesn’t change overnight.’’
Left-arm quick Ed Nuttall is close to his first Canterbury appearance of the summer, having recovered from his back stress fracture issues.
He is expected to play for Old Boys Collegians in the Christchurch Metro 50-over final against Burnside West Christchurch University on Sunday at Elmwood Park.
Nuttall could be available for Canterbury’s T20 match against Central at Rangiora next Friday.