Friday, December 28th, 2018

BEN COX OFF TO WINNING START WITH OTAGO VOLTS IN SUPER SMASH

Ben Cox made a successful start to his two month spell with Otago Volts in the Super Smash in New Zealand and played an important role in their one run win over Wellington.

The Worcestershire Rapids Vitality Blast hero finals day hero linked up with the Volts shortly before the festive season after obtaining his visa and will play in the competition through to mid February.

Cox, who won both man of the match awards for the Rapids on Blast finals day at Edgbaston, went in at number six at 123-4 off 15 overs.

The wicket-keeper batsman made 13 not out off 14 deliveries as the Volts closed on 167-7 from 20 overs.

This seemed an insufficient total as Wellington openers Michael Bracewell (60) and Devon Conway (47) put on 107 in only 10.2 overs.

But then wickets started to tumble and the run rate also fell and, in a thrilling climax, Cox was at the hub of the action.

The penultimate delivery of the game from Nathan Smith accounted for Warwickshire captain Jeetan Patel who was caught behind by Cox with the total 165-8.

Then the final ball of the game saw Cox run out Luke Woodcock from Jacob Duffy’s return as Wellington closed on 166-9.

Cox ended with four catches as the Volts chalked up their second successive win. They will next be in action on December 30 against Northern Districts.