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Kings’ Matt Henry catches Dane Cleaver from his own bowling alley
The Canterbury Kings tried to shine in the first game under the lights at Hagley Oval in front of 8,000 fans, but the Stags outplayed them, and the home team came up short by 18 runs.
The Kings got off to a good start on the ball when Matt Henry caught his own bowling alley, sending Dane Cleaver back to the pavilion for a duck in the first over.
But it would be another 10 overs before Henry could attack again. Stags captain George Worker and William Young stepped in, and Young brought up 50s society with a reverse sweep of four and followed with a huge six in the crowd in the seventh.
The duo were in control until Worker was trapped behind by 32 from Henry in the eleventh over. Later, Henry reappeared, running out of Josh Clarkson for 26.
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Ross Taylor played his first game with the Stags in four years against the Kings.
Ross Taylor, in his first T20 appearance in the Stags green jersey in four years, had a brief cameo; an impressive six on the side of the leg, and then he received the next ball for 10.
Young scored 68 before being caught off Nuttall, and Doug Bracewell, with 37 no-outs, finished the innings in style with six huge in the crowd, giving the Kings 187 victory.
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It wasn’t the start the Kings were looking for when Bracewell hit the first and fourth balls of the inning. Kings starters Chad Bowes and Ken McClure, both caught for nothing, the first two of four for Bracewell, who opened and closed innings with the ball.
The pressure continued for the Kings, when a direct hit from Christian Leopard knocked Boyle off his line. The Kings weren’t even over the power game and were 3 of 26.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Game 1 was played under the new lights at Hagley Oval on Sunday.
Daryl Mitchell came in, regaining control of the Kings, raising his 50s at 11 and forming a solid 90-run partnership with captain Cole McConchie.
The turning point came at 14, when McConchie was caught by Tickner, the player who had dropped him just one ball earlier. Mitchell’s valiant effort ended with a later finish, caught for 71.
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Daryl Mitchell anchored the Kings inning with 71.
Kings hitters Leo Carter and Cam Fletcher tried to do what their starters couldn’t, but the required running speed kept creeping up, needing 34 of the final lap.
The Stags posted an 18-run victory and rose to the top of the table alongside the Firebirds.
At Hagley Oval, Christchurch: Central Districts Stags 186-5 (William Young 68, Doug Bracewell 37 *, George Worker 32; Doug Bracewell 3-38, Josh Clarkson 1-11) hit Kings of Canterbury (Daryl Mitchell 71, Cole McConchie 28; Matt Henry 2-32, Ed Nuttall 1-30) for 18 races.
Points (games played): Firebirds 16 (4), Stags 16 (6), Kings 8 (3), Volts 8 (4), Knights 4 (5), Aces 0 (4)
Stuff MVP Points: Doug Bracewell 3, Daryl Mitchell 2, William Young 1.
