South Canterbury player/coach Nick Horsley is impressed by his bowlers.
South Canterbury player-coach Nick Horsley is remaining positive despite his side suffering a disappointing 78-run loss to North Otago in their pre-season hit out.
It was a relatively young South Canterbury side that took to the park against their neighbours in Oamaru in what proved to be a good hit out for both sides.
North Otago battled through to 170, while in reply South Canterbury were bundled out for just 92.
Horsley said while they lost the match there were positives to take out of it.
“It is only a pre-season match so the result wasn’t major and it is disappointing we lost but it was pleasing to see to a number of positives come out of the match.”
Horsley said he was impressed by the bowling unit.
“We bowled really well. They managed to get through to 170 but that was because Sam [Carlaw] wanted to see some of the other bowlers get a go so we probably took the throttle off a little bit.”
Jack Harper looked a handy acquisition, he said.
“I thought he looked really good. He will be very useful for us this season.”
Other players to catch Horsley’s eye were veteran seamer Kevin Teahen, leg spinner Nick Maguire and batsman Phil Lill.
“Kevin bowled really well up the top, he showed his experience, and Nick bowled really well. He turned the ball and that was great to see, while Phil looked to get himself in. It was just a pity he didn’t kick on.”
Horsley said the side needed the match and would look to improve next weekend ahead of their clash with Canterbury Metro.
North Otago’s South African all-rounder Francois Mostert was the key player in North Otago’s 170.
His 89 helped North Otago get through to a respectable score after some fine work by the South Canterbury bowlers had the home side looking at a total of less than 100.
Teahen led the way with 3-22, Maguire chipped in with 3-38 and Jacques Marias contributed 2-22.
Batting was the sides stumbling block with only James Laming, Lill, Harper and Carlaw getting to double figures.
Nathan Smith and Ben Cant were the best bowlers for North Otago with 3-14 and 3-12 respectively.
Horsley said he was no more certain to who would open come the first match against Mid Canterbury on November 28.
“It is honestly still open for anyone to claim we will have a look again next week but need to decide who gets the first go pretty quickly.”
At a glance
North Otago 170-9 off 50 overs; Francois Mostert 89, Ben Cant 25, Nathan Smith 12. Kevin Teahen 3-22, Nick Maguire 3-38, Jacques Marias 2-22.
South Canterbury 92 all out; Phil Lill 26, Jack Harper 20, Sam Carlaw 13, N Smith 3-14, B Cant 3-12.