Hamish Rutherford launched Otago Volts on the way to a dramatic last ball victory in their latest Super Smash clash with an early assault with the bat against home side Northern Districts at Alexandra.
Worcestershire CCC’s 2020 overseas signing set a positive tone which was maintained throughout the innings in pursuit of a 180 target by smashing 29 off just 13 balls.
Rutherford, who is available for the entire campaign with the County next summer, hit two sixes and four fours and dominated an opening stand of 37 in just 3.1 overs with Neil Broom (36).
He picked up two fours and a six in the opening over from Anton Devcich and repeated the onslaught in the second over bowled by Scott Kuggeleijn.
Rutherford eventually fell to Anurag Verma but the momentum he had established was continued.
Nick Kelly weighed in with 54 and then Anaru Kitchen lofted the final delivery from Daryl Mitchell – not the Worcestershire player! – for six to see the Volts home by six wickets.
Earlier Northern Districts had elected to bat and had totalled 179-8 with Tim Seifert (54), Mitchell (39) and Kuggeleijn (35 not out) the main contributors.
