Cricket: Volts start T/20 defence with win

Otago have made a good start to the defence of their domestic T20 title, beating Canterbury by 47 runs in Christchurch last night.

Batting first at Hagley Oval, Otago compiled 168-9, built largely around a 70-run third-wicket partnership between skipper Derek de Boorder (43) and Aaron Redmond (33), Fairfax media reports.

Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate made the other significant contribution, 35 off 26 balls.

Jesse Ryder was out early for 1.

In reply, Canterbury limped to 121 all out, opener Rob Nicol top-scoring with a run-a-ball 31.

For the Volts, offspinner Mark Craig took 3-29 while ten Doeschate and quicks Neil Wagner and James McMillan took two wickets apiece.