The Volts slumped to a crushing 106-run loss to Northern Districts in Hamilton on Saturday.
The home side pummeled the visitors, reaching 212 for nine.
Faced with a monster chase, Otago imploded and was bowled out for 106.
Only Shawn Hicks was able to walk off the field feeling like he had had a reasonable day.
The 22-year-old nabbed four catches, an Otago record, and smashed 52 from 28 deliveries.
Hicks had virtually no support with the bat, though. Rob Nicol scored 19 at the top of the innings and Brad Wilson was the only other Otago player to get into double figures. His innings of 14 from 20 deliveries was a forlorn attempt to save a few blushes. By the time he reached the crease, Otago was 46 for six after 7.2 overs.
Experienced Northern Districts all-rounder Anton Devcich played a major hand in Otago’s capitulation, picking up four wickets for 12 runs. He also clubbed 42 from 21 deliveries and was not alone in plundering the Otago attack.
Brett Hampton (44 from 20), Daniel Flynn (47 from 26) and Daryl Mitchell (41 from 24) got stuck in as well. Newly promoted Black Cap Anaru Kitchen went for more than 12 an over. But seamers Neil Wagner, Warren Barnes and Jacob Duffy were unable to slow Northern’s advance either. They all went for at least 10 an over.
hit from a straight drive. He worked with coach Rob Walter to design a helmet which looks a bit like baseball headgear.
The innovation caught the attention of media and it could catch on. Batsmen have worn helmets since the 1970s and more recently umpires have started to take precautions as well.
It was the second time Barnes has donned the headgear in a game and it is likely to get another outing at Molyneux Park today.
Otago is hosting Canterbury and looking for some payback following its record 134-run defeat to the Kings on December 14.
