It was the batsmen who stood up last week, but now the South Canterbury cricket team can thank the bowlers for their second-straight pre-season win.
South Canterbury’s 14-run win, over Mid-Canterbury, at Ashburton yesterday, was thanks to some tight late-over bowling from the spinners.
South Canterbury coach Richard Davidson said Sam Carlaw’s 4-33 from 10 overs turned the match, after Mid-Canterbury were going at more than six runs an over, chasing 189 for victory.
He said the pitch took a lot of turn, and Carlaw was able to exploit it well, with assistance from stand-in captain Craig Davies, who took one for 23 from 10.
“They [Mid-Canterbury] were travelling well and going at six or seven runs an over, but then later on, the brakes came on, and they couldn’t hit it off the square.”
Earlier, a 90-run, fifth-wicket partnership between James Laming and Jeremy Liddy set-up a defendable total. Liddy made a gritty 52, while Laming made 25.
It was a promising debut for Roncalli College captain Jacob Naylor, who made 25 not out, and took a wicket with the ball.
The win means South Canterbury retain the Ron Biggar Trophy.
South Canterbury’s next match will be another one-day match against Hawke Cup holders North Otago, at Aorangi Park, on Sunday.