Cricket: Twose blazes away for Wellington win

Roger Twose showed why he is rated one of the world's premier one-day batsmen with a savage assault on the Otago bowlers as Wellington cantered to a seven-wicket win in their cricket match in Dunedin yesterday.

The lure of a day off today proved an irresistible incentive as Twose played one of the most remarkable innings at Carisbrook in recent years.

He stood and delivered with a magnificent display of clean hitting as Wellington achieved their victory target of 107 in just 15.2 overs.

Otago showed some defiance to add 237 for their last eight wickets, but this was quickly forgotten as Twose bestrode Carisbrook for 48 minutes of sheer brilliance.

He scored his 84 off 38 balls, with 18 fours and a six.

Only three of his scoring shots were not boundaries.

His 50 arrived in 22 balls and 32 minutes when he pulled Warren McSkimming for four. It comprised 13 scoring shots - 11 fours, a six and a three, and it was one of the quickest half-centuries in New Zealand cricket.

When Twose was finally bowled by Craig Cumming he had scored all but 16 of the 101 runs while he was at the crease.

"I guess my rationale was to try to get the game over tonight," Twose said.

"I think it's important to have a positive approach when you're chasing a relatively small total because you can get yourself into trouble and lose cheap wickets if you fiddle about.

"I was pleased with the way I struck the ball and it's nice, not only to win but to get the day off."

Earlier, Wellington's Iain O'Brien, making his Shell Trophy debut, claimed five for 39 in Otago's second innings of 268, made in 390 minutes from 96.1 overs.

There were plenty of useful contributions, but none substantial enough to set Wellington a stiff last-innings target.

- NZPA