Stags kick off season with strong win

Central Stags openers George Worker and Dane Cleaver have helped set up a comprehensive 120-run victory over the Northern Knights in the Super Smash at McLean Park on Friday night. 

Played on a calm evening in Napier, the opening pair posted 70 runs for the first wicket in the season opener and the repeat of the last two domestic finals.

Worker was shy of his 15^th Twenty20 50 after scoring an entertaining 42 off 20 deliveries that included five fours and three sixes. He was bowled by Knights debutant Matthew Fisher in the fifth over after spanking the pace bowler in an expensive over.

At the other end, wicketkeeper Cleaver scored 39 runs before he was caught off the bowling of Blackcap spinner Ish Sodhi, who eventually finished the match with two important wickets.

However, it wasn’t just the Stags openers who contributed with the bat. Captain Tom Bruce and all-rounder Kieran Noema-Barnett contributed with a quick-fire 50-run partnership off 30 balls in just 20 minutes. Bruce hit 38 runs and Noema-Barnett was run out for 47 off 25 deliveries with six sixes.

The healthy crowd was treated to some entertaining batting by the home team as three balls were hit out of the ground forcing the umpires to replacement them each time.

The only highlight in the Knights run chase was a well-constructed innings by season campaigner Anton Devcich, who contributed with 35 runs. Other batsmen failed to get past 14 runs as the run rate increased. The Knights also struggled to put partnerships together as the Stags bowlers were disciplined.

Not only did Noema-Barnett contribute with the bat, but also with the ball, picking up three wickets in two overs.

Spinner Ajez Patel also grabbed three wickets inside four overs cementing his place as an influential player for the Stags.

The Knights were bowled out for 101 runs after 13.5 overs.

The win means the Stags continue their winning streak after claiming the Super Smash title earlier this year in Hamilton. 

At a glance:

Central Stags (221/5): K. Noema-Barnett 47, G. Worker 42, D. Cleaver 39. I. Sodhi 2/27.

Northern Knights (101): A. Devcich 35, D. Mitchell 13, P. Bocock 13. K. Noema-Barnett 3/10.

Stags won by 120 runs.