Otago vs Central Districts, Super Smash League 2022-23 – Otago Beats Central Districts by 4 Wickets

Otago vs Central Districts, Super Smash League 2022-23 – Otago Beats Central Districts by 4 Wickets

The 25th match of Super Smash 2022-23 was held between Otago and Central Districts on 29 January 2023 at University Oval. Otago won the toss and opted to field first. 

The first inning started with Bayley Wiggins and Ben Smith at the crease, and Travis Muller opened the attack. Bayley tried to hit boundaries in the first over but caught out in the 5th ball of the match. Ben Smith was also gone in the 5th over at 5(10). Central Districts reached 53 runs with a loss of 2 wickets in the powerplay. 

Tom Bruce and Will Young came to the field and took the team Central Districts to 95/2 in 10 overs. However, the partnership ended when Travis Muller dismissed Will Young after completing his fifty in the 12th over. 

Tom Bruce has also crossed half-century in the 14th over. Josh Clarkson tried to make a good run score but caught out in the 17th over at 21(18). Tom Bruce and Bevan Small finished the first inning with 187/8, and Otago needed to chase 188 runs to credit the victory. 

The second inning started with Rutherford and Jake Gibson on the crease, and Randell opened the attack. The openers played well and took the team to 66 runs during the powerplay. However, in the 7th over, Jayden Lennox dismissed Rutherford at 34(22). Jake Gibson also lost his wicket in the 8th over at 30(20). 

In 10 overs, team Otago reached 83 runs with a loss of 3 wickets. Dale Phillips tried hard to chase the targeted run score but lost his wicket in the 11th over at 5(8). Jaydon Lennox took 2 back-to-back wickets of Johnson and Finnie in the 13th over. After 15 overs, team Otago put  the run score of 126/6.

The partnership of Dean Foxcroft and Ben Lockrose turned the match positively. Ben Lockrose completed his fifty in the 19th over. With this, Otago successfully chased 190 runs with a loss of 6 wickets in 19.3 overs and won the match by 4 wickets.