After a “Super Sunday” that saw a world record for the most T20 sixes in a match and belligerent encounters in all three games, the SBS Bank Otago Volts have pulled into the lead on the Georgie Pie Super Smash points table — and have a chance to stretch that lead today at home in Dunedin.
Overcoming the disruption of preseason injuries, the Volts have rustled up two convincing wins in succession, storming the Canterbury Kings at Hagley Oval by nine wickets before downing defending champions the Mighty Ape Wellington Firebirds at University Oval on Sunday to take the southerners to three wins from four games — and a four-point lead on the table.
Jacob Duffy snared his maiden Georgie Pie Super Smash five-wicket bag against the Kings, after breakthrough Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield five-fors last season; then his Volts teammate Michael Bracewell notched his highest Georgie Pie Super Smash score with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls in the same match.
Cobham Oval’s christening as a Georgie Pie Super Smash venue was a big hit, attracting a strong turnout in perfect weather and delivering a home win for the SKYCITY Northern Knights as BLACKCAP Corey Anderson’s quick 42 off 18 balls helped set up an exciting 12-run triumph over the frustrated Kings.
But the biggest talking point of all on “Super Smash Sunday” came courtesy of the Mondiale Auckland Aces, who collectively smashed the world record for the most sixes (31) in an official Twenty20 fixture.
The previous mark of 30 had been set by the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2010, yet despite the breathtaking display of power hitting from Colin Munro (89 off 40) and Colin de Grandhomme (49* off 23) and an imposing 217/4, the Aces would only just edge the Devon Hotel Central Stags in a big-hitting thriller.
The Stags’ impressive young Will Young fell just four runs shy of what could have been a superb century, dismissed on a career best 96. The Stags were left level on the points table with the Knights, both on eight points, while the Firebirds, Kings and Aces all have one win each.
There will be interest this afternoon when the Knights have the chance to join the Volts on the top rung, the teams set to go head to head at University Oval, Dunedin, at 4pm.
The Aces will then host the Kings 4pm tomorrow at Eden Park, while in Nelson Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene joins the Stags for their battle with the Firebirds at Saxton Oval, at 4pm on Thursday — one day before the barnstorming WHITE FERNS will meet Sri Lanka at the same venue in an exciting week of T20 cricket for Nelson.
Full Georgie Pie Super Smash schedule
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