Otago Volts vs Perth Scorchers, M8 - Report: CLT20-2013

A swashbuckling century from opener Neil Broom powered the Otago Volts to a commanding 62-run victory over the Perth Scorchers in Match 8 of the Karbonn Smart CLT20 2013. On a smashing pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the Volts, powered by Broom’s unbeaten 117 posted 242 – the highest total in the Champions League T20 – and then restricted their opponents to 180. (Also Read: Otago Volts vs Perth Scorchers, M8 - Stats Highlights: CLT20-2013)

After asking the Volts to bat first, the Scorchers made the right moves early on. Joel Paris, getting his first piece of action in Twenty20 cricket, dismissed Hamish Rutherford and Brendon McCullum with his first two deliveries, in the third over of the innings.

However, post that, Broom started the fireworks by cracking two boundaries in Paris’ second over. Derek de Boorder joined in the act, picking up four boundaries in the next couple of overs as the Volts progressed to a respectable 43, before the fielding restrictions were relaxed.

Though de Boorder perished in the 10th over for a stroke-filled 45 (28 balls), there was going to be no respite for the Scorchers. The ball flew to all parts of the ground as Ryan ten Doeschate and Broom matched each other stroke for stroke. The pair scored 23 runs of the 12th over, bowled by Adam Voges – the most productive over of the innings. 

Broom brought up his half-century – off 34 deliveries – in style when he sent Michael Beer into orbit. He needed only a further 17 deliveries to get to his maiden century in Twenty20 cricket. It was Paris who was at the receiving end of Broom’s onslaught; the opener hit him for four sixes (three of them in a row in the 19th over) and three boundaries and scored a total of 40 runs from the 14 balls he faced from the left-armer.

ten Doeschate, who scored 83 percent of his runs through the leg-side, brought up his half-century in 21 balls. He hit six sixes and three boundaries and raced to 66 off 25 balls, before he miscued a full toss and holed out to the man at mid-on. The partnership between him and Broom realised 128 runs off just 48 balls – 10 of which were deposited into the stands. 

Broom hit Jason Behrendorff for a six and Jimmy Neesham picked consecutive boundaries in the final over as the Volts finished their allotted 20 overs at an incredible 242/5. Broom hit nine fours and eight sixes during his 56-ball innings, while Neesham ended up unbeaten on eight off four balls.

For the Scorchers bowlers, it was a performance they will want to forget as quickly as possible. Apart from their poor execution on the field, their cause was not supported by their fielders either. de Boorder was dropped even before he had opened his account, while ten Doeschate was given a reprieve on three. Paris (2/50), Behrendorff (1/43) and Voges (1/36) were the wicket-takers.

The Scorchers’ chase started on a disastrous note as Laim Davis holed out to Hamish Rutherford off the first ball of the innings. Things only went from bad to worse as Ashton Agar and skipper Simon Katich were dismissed before the second over was completed. The only solace for the team from Western Australia was the performance of Hilton Cartwright, who scored his maiden half-century at the representative cricket level; the 21-year-old remained unbeaten on 69 off 53balls. Adam Voges’ 36 was the other noteworthy performance in the Scorchers’ innings.

Ian Butler was the most successful of the Volts bowlers, picking up three wickets in his four-over spell, while Nathan McCullum accounted for the dismissal of Voges.

Trivia: There were 13 overs in the Otago Volts innings in which 10 or more runs were scored. The Volts batsmen scored at least 14 runs in the last nine overs of their innings.

Ryan ten Doeschate’s 26-ball knock had 10 dot balls. In effect, he scored 66 runs from the remaining 16 deliveries.

There were 16 sixes in the Otago Volts innings, while the Perth Scorchers managed to hit five during the run-chase.

Man of the Match: Neil Broom for his unbeaten 117.

B McCullum: "It was an unbelievable innings really, probably the finest in our associations history. We knew Neil [Broom] had it in him and we are delighted for him. It shows how confident we are as a team and Ryan ten Doeschate was outstanding too, it was an incredible total. We are going really well, it's 14 [wins] in a row now and we know we have some talented players. We will have to continue to improve as we have some tough opposition coming up."

Katich: "I thought our young guys did a great job with the bat at the back end of the innings. Unfortunately after 6 overs of our bowling innings things didn't go to plan, fair play to Neil Broom and Otago. We were brilliant in the powerplay, young Joel Paris bowled beautifully but unfortunately things went downhill from there."

source: clt20.com