Cricket: Cruise turns to catastrophe

Otago fought hard but came up just short as Wellington won their game by two runs in Alexandra.

Otago finished at 231 for five wickets in reply to Wellington's 233.

The southerners seemed to be cruising when they needed only 12 from the last two overs with five wickets standing.

But the 49th over, bowled by Matthew Walker, conceded only two singles, and Otago batsmen Marcel McKenzie and Warren McSkimming needed 10 from the last over.

Ash Turner was on the mark as well and restricted Otago to seven, with neither batsman able to find the boundary.

Earlier, opener Mohammad Wasim top-scored with 70 off 96 balls and added 85 for the second wicket in a fine partnership with captain Craig Cumming.

Otago were at the crossroads at 146 for four, but McKenzie and Peter McGlashan added 66 off 91 balls for the fifth wicket.

However, McGlashan's exit for 36 broke a vital partnership and Otago were left to rue a match they should have won.

Matthew Bell top-scored with a solid 57 from 116 balls in Wellington's innings. He shared in two lucrative partnerships, 79 off 124 balls with Chris Nevin for the first wicket and 71 off 97 balls with Richard Jones for the second.

Nevin was immediately into his work and made 42 off 59 balls, with six fours, while Jones' 39 took 52 balls.

Jeff Wilson was the tightest of a steady Otago bowling effort, conceding only 32 from his 10 overs. Each of the five-pronged Otago attack claimed one or more wickets.

- NZPA