worcestershire ccc 2020 overseas signing hamish rutherford played a key role in helping otago volts climb off the bottom of the table in the ford trophy with victory over wellington at lincoln.
the opening batsman was involved in the match-clinching run out of wellington’s top scorer malcolm nofal.
he was last out for 87 in the final over bowled by nathan smith in pursuit of a 263 target.
nofal turned the fourth delivery of the over – a full toss from smith – on the off side and set off for a single.
but he was involved in a mix-up with last man hamish bennett, tried to go back and regain his ground but could not beat rutherford’s deadly accurate throw to keeper mitch renwick.
rutherford, who will be at New Road for the entire 2020 season, joined in the celebrations after a nail-biting success.
the 30-year-old had earlier hit 32 from 49 balls with two boundaries.
rutherford showed no ill effects after having a concussion test last week when hit on the head by a jofra archer delivery playing for new zealand ‘a’ against england in a warm-up for the first test won by the black caps.
he hit 59 in that game and today added 46 for the second wicket with century-maker neil broom (112) before he was second out with the total on 60.
