Worker hits century as Central beat Otago At a glance

George Worker blazed a century as the Central Stags beat the Otago Volts yesterday to move to second in the Twenty20 Super Smash.

He brought up his maiden T20 century off 56 balls in the 18th over and finished with 106 off 58 balls.

Worker’s knock helped the Stags set their hosts a target of 224 after being sent in at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin. That proved to be well beyond the Volts, who ultimately lost by 53 runs.

Worker received excellent support from Will Young, who made 50 off only 25 balls before he fell to Mitchell McClenaghan.

At the halfway stage, the Volts were 88-3, needing a further 136 runs off the final 60 balls, and with five overs to go, the equation had blown out to 92 off 30, even though Nick Kelly was playing a lone hand, bringing up his fifty off 36 balls.

Ajaz Patel struck twice in two balls to begin the 16th over and finished with 3-34 from his four overs, while Kelly finished with 75 off 54, but that wasn’t nearly enough.

Earlier, Otago Sparks opener Polly Inglis made an unbeaten 43 off 38 balls to guide her side to a win

At University of Otago Oval, Dunedin: Central Hinds 102-7 (N Dodd 26 off 41; H Jensen 2-22, E Black 2-26) lost to Otago Sparks 105-3 off 15.2 overs (P Inglis 43no off 38) by seven wickets.

Points (games played): Spirit 12 (4), Hearts 10 (4), Blaze 8 (3), Sparks 8 (4), Magicians 6 (2), Hinds 0 (5). Men: Central Stags 223-5 (G Worker 106 off 58, W Young 50 off 25, J Clarkson 33 off 17) beat Otago Volts 170-8 (N Kelly 75 off 54; A Patel 3-34, D Bracewell 2-41) by 53 runs. Points (games played): Firebirds 12 (3), Stags 12 (5), Kings 8 (2), Volts 8 (4), Knights 4 (4), Aces 0 (4).

over the Central Hinds.

She hit five fours as she helped the Sparks chase down their target of 103 with seven wickets in hand and 28 balls to spare and register their second win of the season.

Fellow opener Millie Cowan made 20 off 18 balls while White Ferns Hayley Jensen and Katey Martin added 17 off 15 and 13 off 14 respectively as the hosts made light work of their chase.

Jensen earlier took 2-22 from her four overs as the Sparks restricted the Hinds to 102-7 after Martin won the toss and sent the visitors in.