That is not some new type of delivery.
Nor is it the wrong ’un reimagined.
It is a group of young men who can really play the game.
The Otago Boys’ First XI wrestled the Heathcote Williams Shield from Christ’s College at Littlebourne recently.
It is the first time they have won the historic trophy, which was first played for in 1908-09.
It is not a well-known trophy because it spent 30-odd years in the New Zealand Cricket Museum.
It basically got forgotten about, which is a shame because it is like the Ranfurly Shield of secondary schoolboys’ cricket.
It re-emerged in 2020, and Otago Boys’ had several unsuccessful challenges.
But they produced a dominant performance to claim it on their home turf.
Jack Ussher nabbed five for 33 and all-rounder Ashton Hansen took four for 28 to help roll Christ’s for 109 in their first innings.
OBHS then made the bold decision to declare their first innings at seven without loss.
That bought them some valuable time and they ran through the Christ’s batting lineup a second time, dismissing them for 107.
Harry Bezett took four for 34 and Ussher three for 18.
They needed 210 to win and cruised to a six-wicket win.
Hansen smacked an undefeated 84 from 82 balls. His knock featured five sixes and eight fours.
Charlie Ottrey’s innings of 43 from 38 was important as well.
Coach Hunter Kindley said there was good depth in the side but also impressive individual talent.
"Ashton is really exciting. He has man-strength and hits it bloody hard," he said.
Ussher is a right-arm swing bowler.
"His skills are at a high level and he has the ability to nip it around and swing it both ways. He led us with the ball in that game."
Another player to watch for the future is pace bowler Sam Drake, who took two for 18 in the second innings. He is also a good footballer.
Kindley said it was a "massive" result for the team "but more importantly it is a good way to keep the lads motivated towards the end of the season and we’ve got the Gillette Cup qualifiers coming up [later this month]".
Otago Boys’ will defend the shield against Southland Boys’ this weekend.
