Ollie Westbury made a successful switch from 50 over to T20 cricket when playing for Grafton United in the Auckland Cricket Premier Men’s T20 Championship.
The Worcestershire CCC batsman made 46 in the six wicket win over Cornwall CC and then struck 71 in the seven wicket defeat against Parnell CC.
It took Westbury’s overall run tally in New Zealand this winter to 310 in seven wickets at an average of 51.67.
Westbury, part of the Rapids squad for Vitality Blast finals day in September, ensured Grafton suffered no hiccups in chasing a modest 92 target against Cornwall.
He put on 52 for the first wicket in 7.4 overs with Jack Parsons (23) and, when his run a ball knock was ended, Grafton were within 12 runs of victory.
Westbury had taken one catch as Cornwall were restricted to 91-9.
He then did even better with the bat against Parnell in being the main contributor with two sixes and six fours in his 62 ball innings.
Westbury added 84 in 11 overs for the second wicket with Mike Ruffell (19) and was third out at 109 in the 16th over.
A late flurry of wickets meant Grafton closed on 132-8 and then 55 off 38 balls from opener Ben Rae helped Parnell win with nine balls to spare on 136-3.
