Canterbury batsman hit on the head again

Canterbury batsman Ken McClure has been forced to retire hurt after being hit by a bouncer for the second time in three weeks.

Batting at No3 against Auckland in the 50-over competition yesterday, McClure was on two off seven balls when he was struck on the helmet by a delivery from former Black Caps paceman Mitchell McClenaghan in the sixth over of his side’s chase.

Under New Zealand Cricket rules, he retired not out due to concussion and was replaced in the batting lineup by 12th man Blake Coburn.

McClure suffered a similar fate in the four-day competition on October 20 when he was unable to get out of the way of a bouncer from Northern Districts bowler Neil Wagner. This was his first game back after that incident. McClure also suffered a concussion in pre-season play in November 2017.

Auckland v Canterbury

After McClure trudged off, Canterbury were just unable to chase down Auckland’s total of 270.

Opener Chad Bowes tried his best, striking 96 off 109 balls before a ramp shot went wrong and he was caught at short third man by a diving Danru Ferns off the bowling of Jamie Brown.

Henry Shipley blasted 51 not out off 38 balls but the 17 required to win off the final over proved to be four too many.

Earlier, Auckland captain Craig Cachopa scored 106 off 122 balls for Auckland to setup their total of 270-5.

Auckland 270-5 (Craig Cachopa 106, Will O’Donnell 48, Michael Barry 42) beat Canterbury 267-7 (Chad Bowes 96, Cam Fletcher 63, Henry Shipley 51no; Danru Ferns 4-35) by three runs.

Wellington v ND

Firebirds opener Andrew Fletcher continued his rich vein of form, scoring 64 off 91 balls to go with his two centuries in his first three matches. His average through four games sits at 119.

Jimmy Neesham joined him for an 81-run partnership for the fourth wicket before going on to score 86 off 67 balls.

But at 210-4 in the 42nd over, Neesham fell, with the lower order unable to finish the innings with a flourish, ending all out off the final ball on 269.

Northern lost wickets at regular intervals throughout their chase. No 8 Peter Bocock topscored with 54 not out.

Wellington 269 (Jimmy Neesham 86, Andrew Fletcher 64; Anton Devcich 5-46, Daryl Mitchell 3-44) beat Northern Districts 232 (Peter Bocock 54no, Dean Brownlie 40; Hamish Bennett 4-34, Malcolm Nofal 3-34) by 39 runs.

Otago v CD

Rain reduced this match to 32 overs in Dunedin. Otago batted first and managed 208-7 in their innings. Neil Broom scored 68 off

58 balls, while Anaru Kitchen contributed 42 off 32.

Central got their best batting work from their big-hitting allrounders Josh Clarkson (64 off 50 balls) and Doug Bracewell (35 off

26). They put on 62 for the fifth wicket, but fell within three balls of each other, effectively ending their side’s charge.

Otago 208-7 (Neil Broom 68, Anaru Kitchen 42) beat Central Districts 194 (Josh Clarkson 64, Doug Bracewell 35; Matt Bacon

3-35, Michael Rippon 3-43) by 14 runs.

At a glance

Standings after four rounds: Wellington 13, Auckland 12, Canterbury 9, Otago 9, CD 4, ND 0.