Cricket: Rutherford stars in warm-up games

Hamish Rutherford
Hamish Rutherford
Left-hand batsman Hamish Rutherford enhanced his reputation as a specialist twenty/20 opener with solid contributions in two warm-up matches at King George Park in Oamaru yesterday.

Rutherford scored 37 to help the Redmond XI reach 160 for nine in a twenty/20 fixture, and then backed up with an innings of 34 in a shortened 10 over match.

Otago left-arm spinner Nick Beard also had a good day, taking four for 39 and scoring an unbeaten 50 to help the Cumming XI win the twenty/20 match by three wickets.

"Hamish has come through the winter well and worked hard on his game," Otago coach Mike Hesson said.

"It was nice to see him get a couple of scores under his belt and he is looking in good touch early in the season."

The matches are part of the Volts' preparation for the Champions League in India next month and Hesson said his players had improved from matches they played on Monday. In particular, the batsmen had played with more purpose.

"The twenty/20 over game was pleasing in terms of some batsmen spending some time in the middle and being able to generate good strike rates," Hesson said.

"The bowlers have started to get better at the death and, generally, the fielding was of a good standard. So I was pleased with the day."

Otago middle order batsman Greg Todd top-scored for the Cumming XI with 68, and Nick Cape bowled well for the Redmond XI, taking four for 14 from his four overs.

Earlier, James Fuller scored 58 not out to help the Redmond XI post a competitive total.

In the 10 over match, the Redmond XI won by three runs after reaching 99 for five and restricting the Cumming XI to 96 for four.

 

Add a Comment

OUTSTREAM