It might seem difficult but Otago coach Mike Hesson says it is possible to take positives out of being on the wrong end of a record-breaking total.
Otago and Canterbury combined for the highest-scoring game in the history of New Zealand domestic limited-overs cricket in Timaru on Thursday.
While the Volts were dismayed to conceded a record 410 for five after winning the toss and electing to bowl, they cheered up when they managed a not insignificant 371 for seven in reply.
"It was a very good batting pitch, an incredibly fast outfield and short boundaries. Combine those three and you get a good day's entertainment," Hesson said yesterday.
Hesson said Otago had tried to map out a path to victory when it prepared its assault on Canterbury's epic total at Aorangi Park.
"We broke it down and figured, if we were 280 after 40 overs we were in with a chance. We ended up being a little bit short and lost one more wicket than we would have liked."
Shaun Haig (46), Craig Cumming (40) and Ian Butler (53 not out) chipped in but Otago's effort was all about Neil Broom.
It has already been a golden summer for Broom in the long form of the game and he showed his ability in smash-and-bash when he cracked 164, his maiden one-day 100, off just 130 balls, belting 12 fours and seven sixes.
Hesson watched in awe and later compared Broom's knock to fellow Otago batsman Brendon McCullum's record 170 against Auckland two summers ago.
"Neil Broom's innings was magnificent. It was the best innings I've seen in first-class cricket since Brendon, and he almost got us there," Hesson said.
"He's confident, he's prepared really well for this season and he's really taking an extra step in terms of his maturity and his expectations."
Broom added 90 for the second wicket with Haig and 91 for the third with Cumming, passing his previous highest score of 93 and raising his century with a six.
When Broom was out in the 43rd over, Otago needed a demanding 14 runs an over and it proved too much.
Canterbury's record innings was built around former Auckland opener Rob Nicol, who scored 132 from 108 balls.
Peter Fulton (88 from 61 balls), Michael Papps (78 off 79) and Shanan Stewart (55 off 21) piled on the runs and made life a misery for the Otago bowlers.
Yasir Arafat, the Volts' Pakistani import, leaked 28 runs off his first two overs and finished with one for 74 off six.
Butler also struggled, with none for 59 off five, while Cumming was doing a reasonable job until he conceded 30 - five consecutive Stewart sixes - in his final over.
"It was certainly one of those days," Hesson said.
"Canterbury batted exceptionally well. They had a bit of luck early on with a couple of French cuts but then they played beautifully with the bat.
"When the pressure came on, we didn't respond with the ball as well as we'd like."
Otago now heads to Mt Maunganui for its opening twenty/20 game against Northern Districts tomorrow.
The match is live on Sky Sport 1 from 4.30pm.
Domestic cricket
Runs galore
Thursday's high-scoring game between Otago and Canterbury in Timaru produced some of the best batting performances in the history of New Zealand domestic limited-overs cricket:
Highest score
410/5 Canterbury v Otago, Timaru, 2009-10
376/3 Central Districts v Otago, New Plymouth, 1996-97
371/7 Otago v Canterbury, Timaru, 2009-10
Highest Innings
170 Brendon McCullum (Otago) v Auckland, Auckland, 2007-08
164 Neil Broom (Otago) v Canterbury, Timaru, 2009-10
156 Martin Guptill (Auckland) v Canterbury, Christchurch, 2009-10
Highest aggregate
781 Otago and Canterbury, Timaru, 2009-10
647 Auckland and Northern Districts, Auckland, 2007-08
629 Canterbury and Northern Districts, Christchurch, 2007-08
