Missed chances cost Central Districts

Jack Malcolm

It was a weekend to forget for Central Districts as they lost all three of their local matches at Saxton Oval.

It was the first time the teams have played on their local home turf in years, with the Stags’ last local game in 2017 and the Hinds having their first-ever T20 at the ground.

Saturday saw fans pack into the ground for a doubleheader of Super Smash T20 action against Otago under the sweltering sun in what was billed to be a blockbuster day of cricket.

Local-based Claudia Green found herself in action early in the second innings of their game, finding the first breakthrough in the fifth over to slow the run chase down after they posted 130/9.

The wicket slowed down Otago’s rapid run-rate and got CD back into the game, with right-arm medium pacer Rosemary Mair also contributing as she went for just 13 runs from three overs as they looked to plug up the scoring.

Unfortunately, the Sparks’ early damage paid dividends as the game entered the business end as they tracked towards victory.

Three late wickets in consecutive overs breathed some life back into the home side, but it was too little too late as Otago needed eight runs from the second to last over and found the boundary twice with a six to win it.

Local Kate Gaging also made her debut, making four runs before she was bowled but still holding local bragging rights over Claudia, who made one before being run out.

Claudia finished with one wicket from her three overs, while Kate would redeem an early drop in the field with two catches at the death.

In the men’s game, local Josh Clark- son didn’t get any birthday luck as he was dismissed for five with a runout at the non-striker’s end as the Stags lost by three runs.

Having been the second-leading run scorer in the competition coming into the game, Josh was clearly disappointed as he exited the field.

Chasing what seemed to be an under-par 166 from the Volts, the Stags had come out strong early and looked to be racing to an easy win before their run rate started to slow.

Consistent wickets saw them unable to establish a partnership before Matt Bacon stunned the home crowd with four wickets in the last three overs, including an incredible diving caught and bowled, to take the game from the Stags by the antlers.