Smash Hits top ten — week four

One
Neil Broom almost getting a Twenty20 ton on his birthday. Wouldn’t that have been perfect? His present was seeing his Kings to a whopping win over the Volts that pushed them back up to se-cond on the table. Never mind the three figures — unbeaten on 96 off 59 balls and a record 211-1 against the Volts sounds pretty scorching to us. Happy birthday.

Two
The Stags. One win from five games and suddenly they pull the rabbit out of the hat — along with some glorious bowling and catching — to demolish the Aces in a record-breaking 56-run win. Al-ways expect the unexpected.

Three
That ripper of a Seth Rance delivery. It nipped back into Craig Cachopa, scudded past him and onward to ping the top of middle stump. As close to the perfect delivery as it gets. Not a bad one to bowl Brad Hodge in similar fashion, either.

Four
The unusual scenes of Grant Elliott versus Andy Ellis. Elliott and his batting partner Hodge braved the death overs with a stance so wide that it took them sideways off the pitch. Ellis, such a reliable Death executioner for the Kings, weighed up his options — which were limited by an exposed leg side — and decided to follow the batsmen. The ensuing battle of wills got so intense that one ball even pitched on the selvedge of the wicket. Ellis did eventually take advantage of the exposed stumps and bowl Elliott — but not before the clean-hitting Firebird smote 52 off 23 to set the stage for a useful 25-run win.

Five
The great leveller that is cricket. Even in the shortest format, this sport doesn’t play favourites. Ask Rob Nicol. One night he’s imperious, playing the spinners late and pretty much single-handedly leading his team to an eight-wicket victory over the Firebirds. The ace captain got Stephen Mur-doch’s wicket, caught James Franklin and ran out Brad Hodge for little damage, then he put on a show with his lovely, wristy fours and sixes in his powerful, unbeaten 71 off 43 balls. He was eve-rywhere that game. Next day? Out for a duck in the record belly-up match against the Stags.

Six
Jeetan Patel. Put him in a bottle and sell him because every slow bowler in the world wants to make bowling in a Twenty20 cricket look this comfortable. Skidding it through, but unafraid to flight it up front, he’s having a great Georgie Pie Super Smash and starred with 4-11 in the Firebirds’ demolition of the Stags, He had a hand in no fewer than seven of their wickets, after opening with a wicket maiden. Honourable mention to young Knights spinner Mitch Santner, who turned in a strong game against the Volts.

Seven
The big sixes — and at Wellington Stadium, they have to be big. It wasn’t always the usual sus-pects this week. Think Matt Taylor smashing a string of them for a quick 26 off 10 to give the Fire-birds a competitive total against the Aces. Think Will Young looking like he’d borrowed some vin-tage Jamie How mojo. Think Kruger van Wyk carving it high into the bucket seats. But for our money, the shot of the weekend was the commanding Michael Pollard powering a decent, 141kph short ball from Michael Bates over long on. Too good.

Eight
Boundary fielding brilliance. Anaru Kitchen jumped a mile to stop Elliott. Iain Robertson made a great vertical grab to stop Daniel Flynn. But the classic catch cup goes to Stephen Murdoch, who stuck a paw out scampering sideways as a bullet from Ben Smith looked to be heading over the rope. He must have had superglue on his palms because miraculously it held.

Nine
Honourable mentions this week: Pollard’s sizzling form. Ben Wheeler picking up the rock star fig-ures of 4-11 off 3 with a double wicket maiden. A supposedly jet-lagged Luke Wright’s lightning-quick throw to run out Smith, having spotted and pounced on the batsman’s momentary hesitation setting off for a single (we can’t wait to see what he does when well-rested). And how about Do-novan Grobbelaar sending George Worker’s stumps cartwheeling? That was one for the dibbly dobblies everywhere.

Ten
Pyro. It’s not easy running full speed when you can’t see your feet from your beak. When your magnificent bonce is quite a load on your shoulders. That Gorilla had it easy! Let’s hear it for the Bird, he got a fine second in this year’s Georgie Pie Super Smash Mascot Dash for Cash. 

What the coaches thought

What a wild weekend for our coaches with all the giant-killing going on. Check out the video highlights (where televised), hear what the coaches said afterwards — and see if you agree.

Game 18: Volts v Kings
This was a real tit-for-tat affair after a reverse result in Christchurch the previous week. Kings coach Gary Stead kicks off #GPCoachChat this week after an impressive win over the Volts in Dunedin that featured an unbeaten 96 from Neil Broom, playing against his old team.
Watch

Game 19: Firebirds v Aces
The Georgie Pie Super Smash festival hit Wellington and the Aces stopped the Firebirds' winning streak with a cool, calm, eight-wicket victory — solidly led by captain Rob Nicol.
Watch

Game 20: Firebirds v Kings
Jamie Siddons was delighted his Wellington Firebirds bounced back so quickly to clean up the Kings in Saturday's festival doubleheader. Meanwhile, young Kings keeper Cameron Fletcher did a Lance Cairns, presenting himself to bat for his team even though he had earlier retired hurt. Epic.
Watch

Game 21: Stags v Aces
A sensational upset this week, the Stags clinching a record-smashing T20 victory by restricting the Aces to their lowest ever total against them and their second-lowest T20 total against anyone. Stags coach Heinrich Malan talks us through a proud night for his team. Aces fans, look away.
Watch

Game 22: Firebirds v Stags
Jamie Siddons checks back into #GPCoachChat after a brilliant 4-11 from his spinner Jeetan Patel that helps seal a clinical six-wicket win.
Watch

Game 23: Volts v Knights
Talk about unpredictable results this weekend! Our Wellington festival ended on a high for Volts coach Dimitri Mascarenhas as the southerners seared to their second win — against the top-of-the-table Knights. Dimitri recaps a heartening victory for the Volts’ faithful, albeit some gloss was taken off the evening by a calf injury to Sam Wells.
Watch

Chart toppers

Top run scorers

For the second week in a row, Knights skipper Daniel Flynn holds onto top spot — ahead of his southernmost counterpart, while Neil Broom makes his move with his smashing near-century in Dunedin.

Full Georgie Pie Super Smash batting stats

Top wicket-takers

Canterbury King Andy Ellis extends his lead some more, but Firebirds spinners Luke Woodcock and Jeet Patel race up the charts behind him. Not such good news for big Firebirds pro Luke Fletcher this week, alas: he’s bowled his last ball in the competition this season after picking up a side strain. Ka kite Luke and we all hope to see you back bowling your yorkers again soon.

Full Georgie Pie Super Smash bowling stats

Safest Hands

Young King Logan van Beek snares top spot as the Kings and Firebirds exclusively battle it out big-time for the title of best fielder in the realm.

Full Georgie Pie Super Smash fielding stats

Points table    

Despite the slew of upsets in Wellington, the pecking order on the points table is an exact replica of last week. However, take note that the Knights are now only a smidgen ahead of the Firebirds (separated merely by net run rate) after a big few days for the home team in the capital, and a shock loss for the men in pink. Crucially both the Stags and Volts chalked up their second wins in the competition to give them heart heading into the final fortnight.                                                                                                                                

Full Georgie Pie Super Smash table

Hot stats

Keep your eye on these guys who have T20 milestones to smash in Week Four.

Mondiale Auckland Aces
Rob Nicol 50 wickets - currently on 47 career wickets

SBS Bank Otago Volts
Nick Beard 50 wickets - currently on 44 wickets for the Volts
Nick Beard 50 matches - currently on 49 matches for the Volts
Nathum McCullum 50 wickets - currently on 49 wickets for the Volts
Ryan ten Doeschate 1000 runs - currently on 999 career runs for the Volts

Mighty Ape Wellington Firebirds
Grant Elliott 1000 runs - currently on 988 career runs

Stats congrats

Well played to these men last week.

Mondiale Auckland Aces
Luke Wright 200 career matches
Anaru Kitchen 1000 runs

SKYCITY Northern Knights
Brad Wilson 1000 career runs for the Knights
Josef Walker Twenty20 debut

Wellington Firebirds
Jeetan Patel Best bowling 4-11 (previous best 4-19)

Devon Hotel Central Stags
In bowling the Aces out for 90, the Stags restricted them to their lowest ever total against them. The Aces’ lowest all-time T20 total is 74 against the Knights, this is the only time they’ve dipped lower.
Andy Mathieson - best bowling 2-24 (previous best 1-37)
Ajaz Patel - best bowling 2-17 (previous best 2-38)
Ben Wheeler - best bowling 4-8 (previous best 2-23)
Kieran Noema-Barnett 1000 career runs

Canterbury Kings
Neil Broom - highest score for Canterbury 96* (previous best 37)
Henry Nicholls - highest score 61* (previous best 58)
Brendan Diamanti - highest score 73 (previous best 69*)
Brendan Diamanti - 50 career matches
Cole McConchie - best bowling 3-30 (previous best 2-20)
The Kings’ 211-1 against the Volts surpassed their previous best T20 team total of 207-6. SBS Bank

Otago Volts
Sam Wells  - highest Score 35 (previous best 16)
Roald Badenhorst - Twenty20 debut
Brad Rodden - Twenty20 debut

Up next

Bring on that famous Hawke’s Bay sunshine for the last weekend before the 2014 Georgie Pie Su-per Smash Finals! The three-day Napier festival heads to McLean Park from this Friday night. Be-fore then, Hagley Oval turns purple this Thursday afternoon as the Kings host the Aces in their last home T20 this season. In Dunedin this Sunday? Last chance to support the Volts (or visiting Fire-birds) at University Oval. All games are live on Radio Sport, and all the Napier games are live on SKY Sport. But there’s nothing like being there for the big hits! One ticket buys you entry to all-day entertainment at a doubleheader, prices are great value and super family-friendly and there’s heaps to do for the kids — so pop in anytime, can’t lose when it’s two games for the price of one.

Thursday Nov 27 Canterbury Kings v Mondiale Auckland Aces
Georgie Pie Super Smash returns to Hagley Oval and the big question is can the Kings get a home win for their loyal subjects? It’s been elusive but, with third place at stake on the table, this will be a good battle to win. From 4.30pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CKvAA
Tickets

Friday Nov 28 Devon Hotel Central Stags v SBS Bank Otago Volts
Whoever said blue and green should never be seen was wrong. When two teams like this meet — each side desperate to credit themselves with more W’s on the board, one thing is certain: one team is going to get one. Volts or Stags, who’s going to get up in our festival opener in Napier? From 7.10pm
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CSvOV
Tickets

Saturday Nov 29 Mondiale Auckland Aces v Canterbury Kings
Napier’s Super Saturday starts with a great match-up between the Kings and Aces. Both teams are looking to put shock losses last week behind them — and the Aces will be keenly aware that the Stags can potentially still catch them if they don’t get a wriggle on. From 3.50pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #AAvCK
Tickets

Saturday Nov 29 Devon Hotel Central Stags v SKYCITY Northern Knights
Part two of Saturday’s doubleheader is a massive game for the Stags: make or break day if they are to keep themselves alive for the play-offs. And, just to make the stakes that little bit higher, it’s a Border War barney against their high-flying neighbours. All on and under lights from 7pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CSvNK
Tickets

Sunday Nov 30 Devon Hotel Central Stags v Canterbury Kings
The Stags back up for their third game at home, looking to make use of a loud Bay crowd. Be there to cheer for them — or get your purple wig on — on Super Sunday from 3.50pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #CSvCK
Tickets

Sunday Nov 30 SKYCITY Northern Knights v Mondiale Auckland Aces
These two teams go at each other like a mongoose and a cobra, so stick around for a no-holds-barred bunfight. From 7pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #NKvAA
Tickets

Sunday Nov 30 SBS Bank Otago Volts v Mighty Ape Wellington Firebirds
The first and only chance this round for the Firebirds to continue blazing their trail into pole position — should the Knights have fallen at their pink hurdles. Will their well-rested unit fire up against the Volts? Or will the boys in blue send off their home crowd with an electrifyng performance? Another great match-up starts the day at 2pm.
Social Media hashtags #GPSuperSmash, #OVvNK
Tickets

One to watch - Wheels on fire

Ben Wheeler’s 23 and tearing them up. Just look at that scorecard snapshot below. It’s got scorch marks around it. Wheeler set up the skittle effect with two wickets in his opening over, too. As a Devon Hotel Central Stag, he’s been in the same team as Adam Milne and, since Milne can blast the ball through at way-quick speeds close to 150kph, Wheeler sometimes doesn’t get as much noticed at the other end. He’s doing everything right to correct that. “Wheels”, sharp in his own right and a left-armer, is loving the night games of the Georgie Pie Super Smash with the tendency of the ball to swing. Better still, he’s firing up injury-free, after dealing to the groin strain, abdominal tear, rib injury and back issues that had blighted his previous two seasons and kept him out the New Zealand A team.

Wheeler has pedigree, too: his grandfather Ray Dowker was a first-class batsman and football representative for Canterbury in the 1950s — one of the New Zealand Cricket Almanack’s Players of the Year in 1955. His two-metre tall older brother Joey Wheeler plays lock for the Makos and Highlanders in pro rugby. From Marlborough, Wheeler made his Stags debut at first-class level when he was just 18, and made the Under-19 World Cup squad in 2010 as well as representing New Zealand at the Under-19 Indoor Cricket World Cup. Athlete’s genes? No doubt, but getting somewhere in cricket takes a lot more and that’s what Wheeler is demonstrating now.

Are you winning?

We’re looking for the best dressed supporters at University Oval in Dunedin this Thursday and every day in Napier. Gear up and you’re in for some great prizes! In Christchurch on Sunday, the Canterbury Kings are running some fantastic promotions at Hagley Oval — you could catch a car! Plus they’ve got Gate Giveaways, stilt walkers, a Treasure Hunt, Purple Kingdom wigs, Duck, the King, Morph Men… the whole she-bang for a great afternoon of family entertainment at the cricket. Napier is our last festival weekend before the Finals so things are really heating up! Get the best seats in the house with your pick of the parties at McLean Park.

Check out the #StagsNation Christmas Party deal for Friday night when the Stags meet the Volts: 

Or book yourself into the self-explanatory Plunket Ladies Luxury Lounge at McLean Park. Saturday November 29 is “Plunket Family Day” at Georgie Pie Super Smash with free entry for children under 16 and lots of fun activities for the whole family at the ground. The Plunket Ladies Luxury Lounge is all about relaxation and pampering with some great cricket on the side! Tickets for the Plunket Ladies Luxury Lounge are $30 (includes ground entry) and on sale via the Central Districts Cricket Association website. 

Get on it

Stay up with the play with Georgie Pie Super Smash social media - let us know where you're watching from and what you reckon:

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Photos of the week

So close. A fingertip away from a brilliant crowd catch at Westpac Stadium. The expressions say it all. Hard luck mate.