After enduring a more than four hour delay Northern Districts switched into Twenty20 mode ahead of time to beat Otago by 19 runs in a rain-affected one-day clash in Invercargill today.
The domestic Twenty20 competition starts on January 2 but once a sodden outfield at Queen's Park pushed the start time back to 3.30pm -- and a maximum of 30 overs per side -- Northern Districts and Otago both had an opportunity to hone their hitting skills and death bowling.
Northern Districts passed the test, posting an insurmountable 224 for six -- their lead-off men BJ Watling and Anton Devcich laying the platform for Peter McGlashan to continue the plunder.
Otago were limited to 205 in reply from 29.1 overs. Neil Broom's 58 from 61 deliveries and some payback from Pakistan allrounder Yasir Arafat - 31 from 14 - were scant consolation for the hosts.
Watling introduced a touch of Twenty20-style innovation during his unbeaten 60 against Pakistan in Napier on Tuesday but was content to take a secondary role today as Devcich savaged a succession of bowlers.
Craig Cumming employed five bowlers inside the opening 10 overs as rain gave way to a torrent of runs, none appreciated the task. Eventually the captain was the most economical with one for 24 from five overs.
Arafat, Neil Wagner and Warren McSkimming suffered early and there was no respite once Ian Butler and Anthony Bullick were instructed to plug a spiralling run-rate.
Arafat's two overs with the new ball cost 17, McSkimming leaked 25 from his 12 allocated deliveries, Butler then had 26 taken from three as Devcich and Watling ran amok.
Devcich plundered 52 from 35 balls before he missed one from Bullick after creaming six boudaries and two sixes during his cameo, Watling took a more sedate route to his half century, reaching the milestone from 56 balls with a trio of fours and a solitary six.
The openers put on 78 for the first wicket in 61 balls, Michael Parlane then joined the scoring spree briefly (20 from 13 balls) but Daniel Flynn's torment continued when he was leg before wicket to Cumming for four.
Watling succumbed to Wagner's second spell for 58, the South African-born left armer then had Tim Southee caught by Cumming for a golden duck briefly raising the prospect of a hat-trick before Joseph Yovich played his first ball safely. He settled for three for 43 from six.
Wagner's double breakthrough was a rare positive for Otago as McGlashan took up where Devcich left off, cracking 53 from 40 thanks to a half dozen boundaries and a six.
Northern Districts bowling was led by Trent Boult (3-43) and fellow quick Southee (2-30).
