ROUND FIVE
OTAGO VOLTS lost to NORTHERN DISTRICTS by 40 runs
13 December 2020
University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
SELECTED MILESTONES
Anton Devcich : 100 List A matches
A high-scoring match at Dunedin's University of Otago Oval saw Northern Districts post a healthy 323 for nine from their 50 overs - after having been sent in by captain and BLACKCAP in waiting Jacob Duffy.
It was one of ND's highest tallies against the Volts, set up after young opening batsman Katene Clarke reach 58 off 65 balls, before Anton Devcich added some punch with his 51 off just 43 balls as he marked his 100th List A match - a 72nd cap for ND.
Down the order, Henry Cooper (88 off 73) was also a highly effective asset and hard-hitter Brett Hampton (47 off 35) provided the escalation towards the death as the hosts desperately tried to contain the damage.
Nathan Smith (3-58 off 10 and 81 off 69 with the bat) has a strong all-round day for the Volts, and he shared in a 132-run stand with his regular accomplice Michael Rippon for the sixth wicket.
But five wickets inside the first 21 overs cost the side a chance to set the platform to keep pace, and they were eventually bowled out 40 runs short in the 48th over.
The win ensured Northern Districts stayed just one point behind Canterbury on the points table, however they will be disappointed to have lost Jake Gibson to injury during the latest match.
The Volts will get another shot on Tuesday with the same teams meet each other in Round Six. A maximum of 25 points (including bonus points) remains available to each team from the back five matches, with Tuesday's sixth round the last Ford Trophy match of the calendar year before all teams switch to T20 mode.
