Otago and Northern Districts fought out a remarkable tie at Cobham Oval in Whangarei yesterday.
Yes, a tie. It does not happen very often in domestic one-day cricket. Only four times in New Zealand in fact.
For Otago it was its first tie but for the home side it was the second occasion it has had to settle for two competition points.
Otago coach Mike Hesson said the match "ebbed and flowed" with both teams having opportunities to win the game.
Nick Beard dropped a crucial catch in the last over which could have swung the game the visiting side's way. The batsman, Bradley Scott, netted two runs instead of a trip back to the pavilion and then had an opportunity to win the game from the last ball.
He needed three runs but could only manage two, which left the scores tied.
Neil Broom and Ian Butler made a return to form and almost steered Otago to a thrilling victory.
Broom whacked 123 from 119 deliveries to help his side reach 274 for five. And Butler, who has been expensive with the ball this season, took three for 42 from 10 overs and almost snuffed out Northern Districts' spirited chase.
But Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson, who has been under fire for his slow scoring rate, answered some of his critics with a quality innings of 87 from 84.
Williamson gapped the ball magnificently and combined with James Marshall in a damaging partnership for the third wicket. The pair added 114 and had seemingly put their side on course for victory.
Marshall was the aggressor, hitting three sixes and three fours in a fine innings of 64 from 60 deliveries. Butler picked up the prized scalp, sneaking a delivery past his defences.
Marshall's dismissal triggered a collapse with Peter McGlashan (4), Anton Devcich (1), Joseph Yovich (0) and Graeme Aldridge (1) all falling in quick succession.
Beard combined with Butler to restrict Northern to 38 runs from the batting power play.
"They needed 80 off the last 10 overs with eight wickets in hand. They really should have strolled in," Hesson said.
"We bowled really well in the power play to get us back in the game. And then at the end, unfortunately, we dropped a catch with about three balls to go which would have probably sealed it for us.
"It was a heck of a game. I think we did enough to win the game and it is probably disappointing not to get that wicket."
Hesson was pleased with the performances of Broom and Butler. Broom has been short of runs in the one-day competition, and Butler has had the difficult task of bowling in the power plays and his economy rate has taken a hammering.
However, Hesson was not entirely convinced Williamson had done enough to fend off the critics with his innings.
"Kane manoeuvred the ball really nicely. But to get down to needing 14 off the last over is probably a little bit too many.
"He played really well but it is helpful when he has someone striking down the other end."
