The SBS Bank Otago Volts have extended their lead on the Georgie Pie Super Smash points table to eight points with a crushing fillip over chasers the SKYCITY Northern Knights in Dunedin.
The Volts cantered to an eight-wicket win thanks to some fine bowling at the University Oval this afternoon.
And none was finer than the display by 18-year-old Josh Finnie.
The highly rated allrounder took four for 11 to help dismiss the Knights for a paltry 77, their lowest total in T20s. The Knights’ previous lowest tally against any side had been 85 — against the same opponent, on the same ground, in the 2006/07 season.
Former Knights opener Brad Wilson hit consecutive sixes off his old teammate Anton Devcich to seal the win in the 12th over.
The Volts have now won three in a row, and four from five to lead Georgie Pie Super Smash with 16 points, nursing an eight point buffer at the top.
The team owes its emphatic victory to some very tight bowling. Skipper Nathan McCullum bowled superbly on what was a slow surface, the off-spinner making a double breakthrough in the ninth over.
He bowled Nick Kelly with a slider and then dived sharply to his right to take a terrific caught and bowled to remove Tim Seifert.
Fast bowler Warren Barnes was also impressive. He nicked off Daniel Flynn with a bit of extra pace and his one for 18 was a good return.
But the evening belonged to Finnie. With Northern struggling at 50 for five, the teenage offspinner came on at a good time and struck third ball, removing Devcich (33).
Devcich had been forced to manufacture a shot and got a top edge.
Scott Kuggeleijn shaped as the next big threat, but his innings was cut short when Finnie caught a return catch at about shin height.
Sodhi bowled well for the Knights, opening with a wicket maiden (Anaru Kitchen), but once he was out of the attack, the Volts were able to stroll to victory, Wilson and Michael Bracewell both posting an undefeated 31.
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