Match Details
10:20 AM IST | After an agonizingly close defeat in their opening game, the Central Stags have pulled themselves back to defeat Canterbury Kings by 4 wickets.
In pursuit of a hefty total of 187, the Stags openers Greg Hay and Ben Smith started on an electrifying note by orchestrating 52 in the first five overs. Both the batters were maximizing on looseners early on and pushed the Kings on the backfoot before Ed Nuttall ceased the 58-run stay and aggregated two quick wickets.
Ben Smith was the first man down for a quickfire 34(14), including 4 fours and 2 maximums followed by the wicket of Hay 21(20), who was playing the second-fiddle. The gloveman Dane Cleaver, and experienced Ross Taylor fostered a brief period of respite for Stags before Taylor 5(6) departed attempting a slog sweep.
The pendulum was swinging in favor of Kings before the right-handed Cleaver alongside Josh Clarkson stitched 17 runs off the 14th over. Cleaver eventually constructed a much-needed 40(31) before departing but Clarkson continued the assault and captured 23 runs off Nuttall’s 17th over.
The right-handed Clarkson flashed his pyrotechnic abilities and got his team over the line by accumulating 46(20), including 3 fours and 4 maximums. Doug Bracewell also chipped in with a crucial cameo of 16(8). As far as the Kings’ bowlers are cornered, Henry Shipley was the pick of the bowlers for them by clinching two wickets. Ed Nuttall also claimed 2 wickets but he conceded more than 50 runs in his stint.
Earlier in the day, after winning the flip and electing to bat first, Canterbury registered on 186/3 board. The in-form Chad Bowes started an early assault before his opening companion Matthew Boyle 0(4) departed in the last ball of the opening over.
Leo Carter eventually accumulated 88(63), with 10 fours and 2 maximums to his credit and Cam Fletcher also chipped in with 35(23) to take Canterbury past 180. Brett Randell spearheaded the bowling attack for Stags and attained the opening wicket of Boyle. Similarly, Raymond Toole and Lennox also chipped in with a wicket each.
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