‘Ruds’ impresses onnz debut
Quickfire knock makes good impression in warmup game.
Rain may have washed out play in the first game of England’s cricket tour in Whangarei yesterday but that didn’t stop New Zealand XI skipper Andrew Ellis from giving a resounding endorsement of new Black Cap Hamish Rutherford.
Only 9.1 overs were played in the warmup Twenty20 at Cobham Oval, with the New Zealand XI managing 70 for 1 before umpires deemed rain to be too much for play to continue.
Rutherford, who was named in the Black Caps’ T20 team to play England in their coming threematch series, scored 21 of those – with three boundaries and an impressive six down the ground in his quick-fire 15-ball knock.
Ellis, who will be a T20 team-mate of Rutherford’s during the England series, saluted the 23-year-old’s ‘‘clean’’ ability to strike the ball but said he had also been impressed with the Otago opener’s level-headed approach to the game. ‘‘He keeps things really simple,’’ Ellis said.
‘‘One interesting thing about him is when he gets out, he’s quite a level-headed guy. He doesn’t throw things around. It’s fantastic to see.
‘‘He just approaches it the same way and that will bode well for him over time, I think.
‘‘His natural talent will emerge if he keeps that level head.’’
Rutherford looked at ease at the crease until English T20 skipper Stuart Broad took a superb swirling catch to dismiss him off the bowling of Chris Woakes. Ellis is expecting their bowling approach to him will change over the coming week.
‘‘There’s no doubt they would have seen him for the first little bit – so they will have a little chat and assess their line and length,’’ he said.
‘‘Whether they do the same or do something different will remain to be seen. But if Ruds stays in that even mindset . . . because he plays all around the wicket, whatever plan they have, I’m sure he’ll be able to counter.’’
Anton Devcich (22 off 25 balls) and Tom Latham (23 off 15) were at the crease when play ended.
None of the English bowlers really fired in the overs that were played though English fans will be pleased to see Broad, who missed most of the recent tour to India with a heel injury, bowling again.
Former Black Caps skipper Ross Taylor will leave the New Zealand XI setup this morning to return to Hamilton to organise himself ahead of rejoining the national side.
Otago’s Neil Broom has joined the side as the former test skipper’s replacement.
Another Twenty20 match will be played between the two sides at 2pm today at Cobham Oval to make up for yesterday’s wash-out, in addition to the Waitangi Day encounter tomorrow.