Hamish Rutherford made another significant contribution for Otago Volts to ensure they will head into the New Year leading the Super Smash in New Zealand.
Worcestershire’s 2020 overseas signing again played a major part in laying the foundations for the Volts to clock up a formidable 190-5 in their latest encounter against Canterbury.
It proved more than sufficient as Canterbury were bowled out for 139 in 18.5 overs as Rutherford and the Volts completed a 51 run win – their fourth success in six games with one defeat and one no result.
They are now on 18 points – two more than second placed Wellington and eight clear of third placed Central Districts.
Rutherford – available for Worcestershire throughout next summer – made a quiet start to his latest knock with two runs off six balls in the first three overs.
But he ended up with 37 from 27 deliveries and gradually accelerated with two sixes and three fours.
Rutherford struck Cole McConchie for successive boundaries and in his next over hit him for another four and six.
He collected another six at the expense of Ed Nuttall before falling to Will Williams – third out with the total on 82 in the ninth over.
Josh Finnie (71 not out) provided the second half of the innings momentum and then Canterbury never looked like challenging their steep target.
