Hamish Rutherford continued his impressive run of T20 form but was on the losing side with leaders Otago Volts in their latest Super Smash encounter against Central Districts in Napier.
Worcestershire’s 2020 overseas signing raced to 41 off just 19 deliveries after the Volts had opted to bat.
Rutherford struck four sixes and three fours and dominated an opening stand of 56 in just 4.5 overs with Neil Broom.
The 30-year-old collected four-six off successive balls in the first over from Ben Wheeler and repeated the same assault in the same bowler’s second over.
Rutherford hit Blair Tickner for two sixes in the space of three balls before falling later in the same over.
Only Nick Kelly (45) topped Rutherford’s contribution in a total of 184-7 and Otago looked on course for victory as Central Districts reached 92-4 in the 13th over.
But Gloucestershire all-rounder Kieran Noema-Barnett made 55 off 30 balls to help Central Districts reach 186-5 with an over to spare.
It was Otago’s second defeat in the competition after four wins, a no result and one loss from the first six games.
