Stephen Murdoch blasted an unbeaten 225 off 157 deliveries to help Wellington overcome Auckland in the match of the round at the National Under 23 Tournament.
Batting first, Auckland hit their way to 355 with Sam Anderson’s 110 and Andrew de Boorder’s 73 providing the bulk of the runs before both falling to Wellington’s Tipene Friday who went on to take five for 65.
Murdoch wasn’t overawed by the formidable total and went about singlehandedly taking it to the Auckland attack.
The Wellington opener hit an incredible 24 boundaries and ten sixes to guide his team to a three wicket victory with five balls to spare.
In other matches, Northern Districts all-rounder Jono Boult hit 40 runs and took four for 36 as they defended 238 against Canterbury who only managed 206 in reply.
Dean Robinson struck 88 for Central Districts as they made 219 for six in 46.4 overs to chase down Otago’s 216 all out.
Otago U23 v Central Districts U23
Toss: Central Districts won the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Central Districts won by 4 wickets
Otago 216 (Geordie Scott 60, Ryan Duffy 42; Jeremy Kuru 4-36 Seth Rance 2-48, R Badenhorst 2-40) lost to Central Districts 219(Dean Robinson 88, Dane Cleaver 68*; D Duke 2-36)
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1079/scorecard.aspx
Northern Districts U23 v Canterbury U23
Toss: Northern Districts won the toss and elected to bat
Result: Northern Districts won by 31 runs
Northern Districts 238-9 (Bharat Popli 53, Tamati Clarke 37, Jono Boult 40, Anurau Verma 35*; Ryan McCone 2-42, Matt McEwan 2-26) beat Canterbury 206(Joel Abraham 74, Corey Anderson 48; Anurau Verma 3-52, Jono Boult 4-36)
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1078/scorecard.aspx
Auckland U23 v Wellington U23
Toss: Wellington won the toss and elected to bowl
Result: Wellington won by 3 wickets
Auckland 355 (Sam Anderson 110, Andrew de Booder 73, Dusan Hakaraia 50; Tipene Friday 5-65) lost to Wellington 357(Stephen Murdoch 225*, Barry Rhodes 47; Dean Barlett 2-42, Ajaz Patel 2-41)
Full scorecard: http://scoring.blackcaps.co.nz/livescoring/match1077/scorecard.aspx
