Kings deny Volts home final
Canterbury’s Chad Bowes has denied Otago top spot and hosting rights for the Super Smash men’s Twenty20 final.
The South African-born opener struck a brilliant 95 from 50 balls yesterday to lead the Kings to a six wicket win at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
Canterbury had just pride to play for in their final round game, while Otago were targeting top spot and a home final in Dunedin.
Canterbury’s win means Otago will host Auckland in Friday’s elimination final (two versus three) with the Wellington Firebirds securing top spot and a home final at the Basin Reserve on Sunday.
The Kings’ final round win helped them avoid last place on the table, handing that unwanted honour to Northern.
Central, Canterbury, and Northern all finished on 18 points, but Northern finished bottom on net run rate.
Canterbury’s victory was built around a T20 career-best 95 from Bowes, who combined for a 84-run second wicket partnership with Black Cap Henry Nicholls.
Bowes, in his 50th T20 match, was superb, hitting 10 fours and four sixes and controlled the Kings’ run chase perfectly with Nicholls.
He was deserving of a maiden T20 ton, but was cleaned up by a full, straight one from Volts captain Jacob Duffy in the 17th over.
Nicholls, who last played a T20 for New Zealand in January, played an ideal supporting role, contributing 39 from 28 balls.
Otago dragged themselves back into the contest with Duffy taking two wickets in two balls, removing Bowes and skipper Cole McConchie, to leave Canterbury 147-4 in the 17th.
Leo Carter and Cam Fletcher got the red-and-blacks home safely with Canterbury winning with seven balls remaining.
Otago were left to rue not making the most of an excellent start with the bat.
Nick Kelly and Neil Broom combined beautifully, adding 125 for the second wicket. Otago were 91-1 after 10 overs, but added just 76 in their final 10.
With Kelly and Broom blazing away, the Volts looked set for well over 200, but Canterbury did well to peg them back to 167-5 from their 20. .
Meanwhile, in the women’s T20 Super Smash, the Otago Sparks consigned the Canterbury Magicians to last on the table, winning by 31 runs.
Otago, who had already locked up third place, prevailed in a low scoring clash, defending 122-7, rolling Canterbury for 91 in the final over.
The Sparks will face the Auckland Hearts in Auckland in Thursday’s elimination final (two versus three) with the victor advancing on to face the unbeaten Wellington Blaze in Sunday’s final, also at the Basin.
Men :At Hagley Oval, Chch: Otago 167-5 (Nick Kelly 62, Neil Broom 57) lost to Canterbury 168-4 in 18.5 overs
(Chad Bowes 95, Henry Nicholls 39; Jacob Duffy 2-27) by six wickets.
Final standings: Wellington 24, Otago 22, Auckland 20, Central 18, Canterbury 18, Northern 18.
Women: At Hagley Oval, Chch: Otago 122-7 in 20 overs (Katey
Martin 34, Hannah Darlington 30; Frances Mackay 2-12, Georgia Edge 2-13)
beat Canterbury 91 in 19.4 overs
(Laura Hughes 16; Darlington 3-12) by 31 runs. Final standings: Wellington 40, Auckland 24, Otago 23.5, Cental 16, Northern 8, Canterbury 8.