Stuff Digital Edition

McClure blasts Canterbury to victory over ND

Power packed batter Ken McClure tormented Northern Districts’ bowlers once again as he blasted defending Ford Trophy champions Canterbury to an opening round victory in Hamilton yesterday.

In a rain-shortened 32-over match to open the 2021-22 one-day competition, McClure cracked 87 off 55 balls to usher in a sevenwicket victory for the red and blacks at Seddon Park.

Lethal against the short ball, McClure hit five sixes in his innings as Canterbury chased down ND’s 239-8 in a canter with 28 balls to spare.

It was shades of McClure’s 92 off 74 balls at Hagley Oval in March, which helped Canterbury beat ND in the trophy final.

Facing a required rate of 7.5 yesterday, Canterbury were always on track thanks to McClure’s high octane knock.

A short boundary on one side enticed both sets of batsmen and, with a solid platform, Cole McConchie and Leo Carter helped guide the visitors home with some hefty blows.

Both rattled up unbeaten halfcenturies, with McConchie 57 off 46 balls at the end and Carter unleashing six sixes in his 54 not out off just 23.

ND posted a competitive total thanks to former test opener Jeet Raval who hit three sixes in his topscore of 74 off 57 balls.

Captain Joe Carter and Henry Cooper each posted 52 at better than a run a ball, with Black Caps new ball bowler Matt Henry’s 2-42 off seven overs the best return from either side on a torrid day for the bowlers.

Sport

en-nz

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-12-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://stuff.pressreader.com/article/282372632890230

Stuff Limited