Central and Otago gave the spectators something special in their final Twenty20 match at the National Under 18 tournament in Lincoln. The game ended with Central victors by 17 runs.
Central were trying to propel themselves into a tie for second with a win against Otago and managed to do so after posting a staggering 200 for four.
Their decision to bat was justified quickly as Arana Noema-Barnett went wild and smashed an incredible six sixes on his way to 121 not out. His incredible innings came off just 60 balls and was assisted by a quick 53 from Michael Edmondson.
Jacob Duffy picked up two wickets for 36 runs from his four overs, but no one was safe from Noema-Barnett.
In reply Otago put up quite the fight with Duffy and Gregor Croudis making 71 for the first wicket. It didn’t last long enough though as wickets slowly made it harder and harder for the Southerners to keep up.
Croudis top scored with 43, but they really needed someone to do better than that as the run rate became too much.
At the end of twenty overs Otago were 183 for 8 and still 19 runs short of victory.
The win was a boost for Central who drew level with Otago on 27 points.
