Worker's ton Stags' highlight

Will Johnston

A century by Central Stags opening batsman George Worker wasn’t enough to claim victory over the Otago Volts at Pukekura Park on Tuesday.

In the 10-run loss, Worker scored 125 off 79 balls during the run chase in the second round of the Ford Trophy.

The match was shortened to 24 overs due to weather delaying the scheduled start time.

His 14th century was helped along by 11 fours and six sixes when the Stags attempted to chase down Otago’s 212 runs.

The one aspect that ruined the Stags’ chances to claim its first win of the season was the failed partnerships developed with Worker until late in the innings.

Opener Bailey Wiggins was stumped for 11, Ben Smith caught for four, captain Tom Bruce bowled for three and Christian Leopard gone for 12 didn’t help the cause.

Josh Clarkson came to the crease in the 13th over when the Stags were 98/4 and started to salvage the innings.

He and Worker put together a solid 99-run partnership for the fifth wicket. When Clarkson departed for 30 runs at 197/5, it was over to Worker to see the team home.

With 15 required off the last over, bowler Travis Muller struck. He picked up three wickets in the last over when Worker was caught in the outfield and Brad Schmulian and Jayden Lennox left without scoring. That left Muller with a five-wicket haul.

That left Joey Field and Liam Dudding at the crease to attempt the win the match.

Earlier in the match, Otago was sent into bat after the long delay by Bruce, sheltered by a strong south-easterly.
 
Batsman Hamish Rutherford continued his fine form from Sunday where he scored 62 runs constructing a 91-run partnership for the first wicket with Neil Broom, who scored 69.

Otago reached 50-runs inside five overs.

The visitors lost three wickets in three overs but that left Broom to continue to stabilise the innings after a disruptive start.

Wicketkeeper Mitch Renwich scored 41 runs while the other batsman failed to earn starts making the 212 achievable at Pukekura Park for the Stags.

The wickets were shared around for the bowlers. Joey Field bagged four in his second Ford Trophy match, which Dudding earning two. Clarkson and Lennox claimed two each.

The Stags, Auckland and Wellington are the only three teams not to claim wins or competition points so far.

The Stags host Wellington in Palmerston North on Sunday and the Volts travel to Auckland in the third round.

Otago Volts 212/8, 24 overs (N. Broom 69, H. Rutherford 62. J. Field 4-42) beat the Central Stags 202/8, 24 overs (G. Worker 125, J. Clarkson 30. T. Muller 5-34) by 10 runs.