Cricket: Final victory - India here we come | Otago Daily Times Online News
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Cricket: Final victory - India here we come

Otago batsman Neil Broom cracks a shot into the off-side during the final of the HRV Cup against...
Otago batsman Neil Broom cracks a shot into the off-side during the final of the HRV Cup against Wellington at the University Oval yesterday. Otago won by four-wickets. Photo by Craig Baxter.
It was not perfect, but it was the perfect finish.

Some fantastic bowling and a clutch innings from Neil Broom helped Otago beat Wellington by four wickets in the final of the HRV Cup at the University Oval yesterday.

The game had moments of excitement but an early collapse from the visitors saw them slumped to 53 for five before recovering to reach a modest total of 143 for nine. That rather robbed the game of some of its drama but Otago generated its own excitement by losing regular wickets. But while Broom remained at the crease the home side always remained on course.

The experienced right-hander anchored the chase with a solid innings of 60 from 52 deliveries. He got out in the 18th over but his team was in sight of victory.

Captain Derek de Boorder (33 from 32) also played a crucial knock, combining with Broom in a 71-run stand for the third wicket. Ian Butler provided the final blow. The all-rounder smashed a delivery from Jesse Ryder down the ground for a boundary and brought a crowd of 3230 to its feet.

Butler also had the thrill off picking up Ryder's wicket earlier in the match. The big left-hander has been the best batsman in the tournament and threatened to play another typically brutish innings. He whacked 30 from 15 before he skied a shot off Butler's bowling in the sixth over.

While the final lacked some pizazz, it was Otago's 10 consecutive win and it was the appropriate finish to a superb campaign.

Only five other teams have won 10 or more consecutive twenty/20 games and Otago's win guarantees it entry to the qualifying round of the Champions League in India later this year.

''I've had a couple of tough seasons, so today was pretty satisfying,'' Broom said.

''To win a game like this is pretty special and it gets the blood going again. It is just an awesome feeling and hopefully it is going to carry on for the rest of the season.

''And to get to have another shot at the Champions League is pretty special. I think we have got a side that can really compete this time. We've got good pros and we've got a pretty settled line-up.''

Broom's innings was crucial but the game was arguably won in the first five overs. Strike bowler James Fuller did the bulk of the damage, picking up four wickets for 24 runs.

He lured opener Michael Pollard into a drive and had him caught at backward point. He then removed the dangerous Michael Papps with a bouncer.

Jacob Duffy suffered at the hands of Ryder in his opening over but rebounded to nick out Cameron Borgas.

No dismissal was more important than Ryder's, though. He has been in belligerent form all summer and the one guy who could have taken the game away from Otago.

''Jesse is an amazing cricketer and he is one of my best mates,'' Butler said.

''I love playing against him because he is so good and it is a huge challenge. But as great as it was for the crowd to see him bat, I was pretty pleased to see the back of him.''

Otago tried to keep the lid on expectations after Ryder's departure. But the powerful left-hander powered Wellington into the final and with his departure the visitors' faltered further.

Luke Woodcock (40 not out off 31) and Harry Boam (35 off 41) tried to rebuild the innings but arguably their stodgy 72-run partnership ultimately contributed to Wellington's defeat.

The pair played too safe and waited too long to launch. As a result, Otago, despite losing regular wickets, was never under any scoreboard pressure. The run rate was always manageable. Otago left-arm spinner Nick Beard deserves plenty of the credit here.

He was at his frugal best, taking two for 13 from four overs. He bowled with more control than any other bowler on display and struck twice in his opening over, effectively killing the game off.

It seems only a matter of time before Beard, who took 15 wickets during the campaign, gets an opportunity at international level.

Butler is another who is rediscovering his touch this summer. His power-packed innings of 23 from 10 balls made sure his side did not stumble at the last hurdle.

 

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