Notes from slip, January 26

Jacob Duffy’s third ODI did not go as planned. He became just the 15th player in the history of cricket to concede 100 or more runs in the format. Once the ball stopped swinging after a couple of overs, he was left with the nightmare scenario of trying to bowl on a flat track in a venue with tiny boundaries against a rampant India batting line-up. Still, he nabbed three wickets, and is a lot better than that performance. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Not mentioning names — cough, splutter, mumble, sports editor Hayden Meikle — but a colleague has really enjoyed Otago’s success during Notes from Slip’s two-week absence.

I don’t mind that, but it seems his main source of his enjoyment is the fact our new recruit Kayla Hodge has taken the reins while I’ve been away and guided the Volts to three consecutive wins.

First game back and I managed to steer them to a heavy defeat against Northern Districts, and may have sunk their Ford Trophy playoff prospects.

It is unclear whether the Volts have started the campaign #bringbackkayla yet, but who could blame them?

And well done to Bella James, who clubbed her maiden list A century and led the Sparks to a 37-run win against Central Districts in Nelson on Sunday.

Hodge covered that game as well.

I’ve missed you PlayHQ, my old friend.

Regular readers will recognise the irony in that statement.

Anyhoo, club cricket is back up and running and we are back trying to decipher the scoreboards.

We could not bring you any news of the T20 premier games played on January 19, as one of the scoreboards was still pending and the others featured old Mr Fill-in again.

But here’s a quick catch-up. Nick Kwant pummelled 157 to help Taieri smash a formidable 280 for five at Logan Park — yep, 280 from 20 overs! University-Grange lost by 94 runs but young Zac Cumming smashed 114 in a valiant chase.

Not a great night to be a bowler.

At Tonga Park Albion posted 160 for six and dismissed CDK for 124.

Taylor Cumberland top-scored for Albion with 66 and James Brown took four for 13.

North East Valley held on to beat Green Island by 10 runs at Sunnyvale in the last of the three games. Hunter Kindley (56) and Thorn Parkes (45) put on 96 for the second wicket.