Records Smashed as ND Overcome Otago

Published on 07 Feb 2018

A stunning century by Nick Kelly has lead Northern Districts to a convincing 66 run victory over the Otago Volts in the latest round of the Ford Trophy played at University Oval in Dunedin.

Earlier in the day Northern Districts Skipper Dean Brownlie won the toss and elected to bat first. The highlight for Northern Districts was a second List A century to in-form batsman Nick Kelly who top scored with 106 off just 92 balls.  The 4th wicket partnership of 126 between Kelly and Brownlie (56) broke Northern District's 4th wicket record against Otago previously held by the Marshall twins Hamish and James.  Late fireworks from Daryl Mitchell (28), Scott Kuggeleijn (20) and Daniel Flynn 37 off just 13 balls (including 3 sixes) took Northern Districts to an imposing 341 off their 50 overs.  The score broke the record for the highest domestic List A score at the University Oval (previously held by Canterbury 329/6).

In reply Otago lost the early wicket of Hamish Rutherford (4) off the bowling of Scott Kuggeleijn.  Seamer Brett Hampton made inroads into the top order with the wickets of Shaun Hicks (39), Neil Broom (39 and Anaru Kitchen (27).  After James Neesham (12) was dismissed by first innings centurion Nick Kelly, wicket keeper Derek De Boorder and Mark Rippon (37) kept Otago in the hunt before Rippon was trapped lbw to Kelly.  De Boorder was eventually dismissed for a fine 77 off 75 balls by Ish Sodhi.  Otago were finally dismissed for 275 in the 49th over.  Brett Hampton was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 31 while Sodhi, Kelly and Mitchell picked up two wickets each. 

Northern Districts remain in third place on the Ford Trophy table with 18 points after seven rounds.  They now play the competition leaders the Central Stags in the next round of the Ford Trophy on the 11th of February at McLean Park in Napier.