The Devon Hotel Central Stags overcame a weight of early woe to nail a tense chase at Yarrow Stadium tonight — thanks in no small part to a breakthrough innings by 18-year-old allrounder Josh Clarkson.
Scorecard
The powerful Clarkson, brushing off light rain, slammed four impressive sixes in his 48-ball unbeaten 64 — a vital maiden half-century in just his third Georgie Pie Super Smash outing, which also earned him the Cricket Express MVP.
It wasn’t all brute power, the youngster requiring the odd deft fend against a well-marshalled Aces attack. But when the ball was there to be hit, he delivered — and assisting him at the death was Marty Kain (19* off 7), who joined in with two sixes and a four to ruin an otherwise good night for Lockie Ferguson — and the Aces attack overall — as the Stags got up against the odds with an over in hand.
The Stags had been chasing 135 after sending the Aces in. Youngster Robbie O’Donnell had combined with captain Rob Nicol in a run-a-ball 65-run stand for the fith wicket, and was rewarded with a half century on Georgie Pie Super Smash debut, off just 45 balls.
Stags quick Adam Milne, playing his first game of the competition, made a spectacular start as he bowled Jeet Raval in his first over, but it was fellow paceman Andy Mathieson who had the biggest impact. Quickly regathering his compusure after being slugged by Nicol for six off his first ball, Mathieson’s 3-18 included a rare T20 maiden. In his previous over, he had sent the two Colins — Munro and de Grandhomme — back to the changing rooms in the space of three balls, and he finally had his revenge against Nicol as he came back at the death to have him caught on 39.
Michael Bates and Donovan Grobbelaar each snared two early wickets as the Stags reeled from losing their first five wickets inside five overs of the reply, including the big wicket of George Worker.
At 70/6 in the 13th, the Stags had needed to meet an asking rate of nine an over to get across the line — yet did so even despite Matt Quinn going for just four runs in the 18th, a fascinating duel between his angled yorkers and Clarkson’s reaction speed.
The three-wicket win means the Stags are the first team of the competition to chalk up a second victory.
The Canterbury Kings will look to emulate that tomorrow when they host the SBS Bank Otago Volts 4pm at Hagley Oval, Christchurch; while at Seddon Park, Hamilton, the SKYCITY Northern Knights will look to get their first win on the board against the Mighty Ape Wellington Firbirds (7.10pm, LIVE on SKY Sport).
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