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The Auckland Aces' runs at all costs approach paid dividends as they eked out a 10-run win over the Otago Volts in a rain-affected HRV Cup match at Invercargill today.
The Aces came out with all guns blazing and, despite losing early wickets, were able to amass 175 for eight from their 20 overs on a good batting deck at the picturesque Queens Park.
A thrilling finish was in store as the Volts had sped through to 116 for three in the 15th over, requiring two runs a ball from the final five overs with short boundaries, plenty of wickets in hand and captain Craig Cumming (44 from 35 balls) in fine form.
But rain intervened and the players were not able to get back on the field, the Aces awarded the match by 10 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Earlier, the Aces were frenetic in their opening 10 overs but they paid the price, racing to 88 for the loss of six wickets.
They threw the bat at everything and hit some bold shots while the Volts were a mixed bag in the field with some sloppy bowling and ground fielding, but their catching was top-notch as Nick Beard, Hamish Rutherford and Aaron Redmond all made brilliant takes.
Colin Munro steadied the ship initially for the Aces and then exploded late in the innings, carting the wayward Volts bowlers for four sixes and six fours in an unbeaten 66 from 48 balls, having not scored a run in his first two bats of the competition.
Spinners Chris Nash (one for 21 from four overs) and Nick Beard (one for 26 from four) did a good restrictive job in the middle but left-arm Neil Wagner suffered at the hands of Munro, conceding 54 runs from his four overs.
