With 125 off 79 balls, including 11 boundaries and six sixes, GEORGE WORKER extended his Central Stags record for most one-day hundreds on Monday, but his match-leading effort went in vain as the Otago Volts fought back at the death.

The Stags and Otago Volts were in for another late start, and late finish, in a rain-reduced 24-over match at Pukekura Park that began at 4PM on a windy afternoon.

Worker's 14th overall List A hundred, fourth at Pukekura and 10th for the Stags would keep the team in with a chance in a tough chase - right until the last over, when the hopes of a fairytale finish in the Stags' 70th anniversary match would end.

Otago Volts paceman Travis Muller instead finished on a career high as he dismissed Worker at the critical moment with his first ball of the last over, then grabbed another two wickets in the next three balls to not only snatch victory away from the Stags, but nail his maiden List A bag.

 

MOST FORD TROPHY CENTURIES FOR EACH TEAM

 

 

So, after a defeat by just 10 runs, the Stags head to Palmerston North this Sunday and Tuesday still looking to get on the board and keen to do that at Fitzherbert Park against the Firebirds in another two free admission Ford Trophy one-dayers.

The action at Pukekura Park was fast paced and entertaining.

Skipper Tom Bruce had sent the Volts in on his home turf, but opposing captain Hamish Rutherford again looked in thunderous touch at the top.

Rutherford followed up his 97 on Sunday with 62 off just 27 balls, supported by Neil Broom who kicked on to 69 off 47 after their 91-run opening stand, while former Manawatu and CD rep Mitch Renwick anchored the back half of the Volts innings with an unbeaten 41*.

JOEY FIELD later fought back with the ball in the middle stages of the first innings to not only claim his maiden List A wicket - Josh Finnie, but a four-for that put him in line for a 5-wicket bag in just his second match.

But it was just not that kind of day for the Stags.

Field would have to settle for 4-42 at the unforgiving ground, and later the youngster also had the bittersweet taste of his first runs being a phyrric boundary off the last ball of the match - when the last chance of victory had vaporised, just before he arrived in the middle.

Both teams and officials marked the passing of former Otago CEO Ross Dykes before the match and Rutherford later dedicated the win to late player, selector and administrator who passed away this week.

In the battle of the left-handed openers, Worker very nearly carried his bat as he batted into that final over for the Stags, keeping them on target throughout in a 9-RPO chase that was on the stiff side, even on Pukekura Park, as the gloom descended and the match again pushed past 7.30PM.

It was a Worker special to mark the 70th anniversary, three figures off just 65 balls with his trademark vicious pull strokes.

Christian Leopard had a good day in the field with three catches in the deep, and overall the Stags' performance had picked up a gear since the weather-affected opening round on Sunday.

Article added: Wednesday 02 December 2020