The steady head of captain Craig Cumming was instrumental as Otago Volts eased to a four-wicket defeat of Wellington Firebirds in their Men's One-Day cricket match at Alexandra today.
The visitors were right on top after reaching 232 for nine and then reducing Otago to 45 for five with less than 13 overs bowled at Molyneux Park.
Former New Zealand opener Cumming stopped the rot, compiling an unbeaten 94 off 107 balls and combining with wicketkeeper Derek de Boorder for an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 105 in less than 17 overs to see Otago to 236 for six with five balls to spare.
De Boorder struck five fours and a six in his unbeaten 55 off 62 balls while Cumming's composed innings was dominated by singles, reaching the boundary just six times.
Earlier, Ian Butler scored 46, with the Wellington attack struggling for penetration as the innings progressed. Seamer Dewayne Bowden took two for 24 off eight overs while Mark Gillespie, in his first domestic appearance after a lengthy time spent recuperating from injury, returned with an encouraging two for 45.
Bowden was the most electric Wellington batsman, smashing a late 28 off 14 balls, after the specialist batsmen all failed to pass 50.
Harry Boam scored 47, Grant Elliott 41 and James Franklin 40 while Otago speedster Neil Wagner claimed four for 43 off nine overs.
NZPA
