The SBS Bank Otago Volts are back to a six-point lead on the Georgie Pie Super Smash points table after downing defending champs the Mighty Ape Wellington Firebirds by 19 runs at the Basin Reserve.
Scorecard
A star turn with the ball from Sam Wells in his first over effectively sealed the struggling Firebirds’ fate. Wells produced an electric 14th over, taking 3-2 off it, putting himself on a hat-trick in the process, and taking the first of two caught and bowleds in his eventual career-best bag of 4-24 off three.
Continuing his impressive season, young Volts paceman Jacob Duffy also enjoyed his day out in a strong breeze, his 3-23 including the crucial early wicket of Michael Papps.
The Firebirds had been chasing a stiff target after both Michael Bracewell and Brad Wilson posted half centuries in the Volts’ tally of 181/8, after being sent in.
For the sturdy Wilson (67 off 46), it was his first T20 fifty in Volts colours, to go with three from his days in the SKYCITY Northern Knights; while Bracewell continued his strong Georgie Pie Super Smash impact and attacked for 53 off just 36 balls.
Wilson was no shrinking violet in comparison, however, slamming twin sixes off Brent Arnel as the senior Firebirds paceman conceded 21 off the fifth over, and later caning the brisk Dane Hutchinson for two more.
Wilson and Bracewell’s effort was the highest third-wicket partnership for the Volts in T20 cricket and, while a half century in reply from Matt Taylor (65 off 41) offered the hosts hope, regular wickets saw the required run rate get away on them before Wells swooped in to help finish them off.
Jade Dernbach was again the pick of the Firebirds’ attack with 4-33.
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