Otago skipper Craig Cumming stroked a majestic century to lead his side to a convincing win over Canterbury at the University Oval yesterday.
The 33-year-old has been in and out of the national side over the past few seasons but underlined his class with a match-winning innings.
Cumming came to the wicket with Otago in strife at seven for two.
The trouble thickened when Greg Todd gloved a short delivery to the keeper, leaving Otago reeling at 28 for three.
But Cumming guided his side out of the mire and into a match-winning position with a masterful 106 off 130 balls.
His footwork, which has often led to his downfall, was flawless and he timed the ball superbly, caressing 16 boundaries.
His 100 came up from a lofted on drive off Ryan Burson.
It was his third one-day 100 and one of the more satisfying.
"You want to play an innings that helps win a match for your side, so that was pleasing," Cumming said.
"But, to be honest, I'm more satisfied for the team and helping get the five points."
In an inspired move, the former New Zealand test opener has shifted to No 4 for the one-dayers this season and it has paid dividends.
In his previous five innings, Cumming had scored 175 runs at 58.33.
His century has lifted his total to 281 at an average of 70.25.
While Otago reached an imposing total of 288 for seven, Cumming said the pitch was tough to score off early but got better as the day went on.
"It wasn't an easy pitch to bat on in the first 25 overs and I was getting a bit frustrated, but I managed to work through it. I got out at maybe the wrong time but perhaps it was time for the big hitters to come in and hit the ball over the boundary."
