A courageous, thrilling 10th-wicket stand carried Otago Country through to an unexpected victory against North Otago yesterday. Otago Country looked to be in a precarious position when the ninth wicket of its second innings fell with the total at 56, 43 runs short of the target of 99 set by North Otago.
But cometh the hour, cometh the tailenders in the form of Tom Myles (20 not out) and an injured Liam Cotton (27 not out), who carried Otago Country to a one-wicket win.
Cotton, the Otago Country wicketkeeper, had sustained a knee injury on the first day and a badly bruised finger
yesterday.
Otago Country won the toss on Saturday and put North Otago in to bat on the new cricket block at Whitestone stadium — with its long boundaries and rather long grass. North Otago found runs hard to come by with Craig Smith (37) the only one to handle the conditions.
North Otago was dismissed for 74 in the 41st over. Otago Country was dismissed in its first innings for 98, giving it a 24-run lead on the first innings.Bowling for North Otago, Francois Mostert took three for 26.
North Otago and Otago Country between them hit only five boundaries in the two first innings.
North Otago went to stumps on the first day nine without loss but early yesterday lost wickets regularly to be 90 for eight at lunch. Jeremy Smith (37 not out) was, defiant, giving the home side a lead of just 66 runs with two wickets in hand.
Smith brought up his half century after lunch before North Otago was dismissed for 122, leaving Otago Country the task of scoring 99 runs to win with a maximum of 60 overs remaining. Smith was unbeaten on 52. Bowling for Otago Country, Tom Myles took four for 54 and Tim McCormick took three for 17.
North Otago looked to have the game under control, having Otago Country 56 for nine late on yesterday but despite the efforts of Francois Mostert (four for 34), Nathan Smith (three for 29) and Craig Smith (one for 32), Otago Country’s tail did the business.
In the other zone four Hawke Cup elimination games, South Canterbury beat Mid Canterbury by an innings and 45 runs. Mid Canterbury, batting first, was dismissed for 79 and South Canterbury replied with 211, Prabodha Arthavidu top-scored with 80. Mid Canterbury was dismissed in its second innings for 87.
- Terry O'Neill
