ALLROUNDER: George Worker contributed with the bat and ball in CD's T20 win over the Kings on Saturday. PHOTO/Paul Taylor
THEIR ability to run down daunting totals is tried and proven but what can fans make of the Central Districts Stags' knack in setting a target?
The answer was evident on Saturday when captain William Young won the toss and the side batted for a total of 197-8 in CD's 27-run victory over the Canterbury Kings in New Plymouth.
The hosts lost Sri Lanka import Mahela Jayawardene, the top T20 run scorer, and Young cheaply but still had the composure and depth to provide a platform on the foundation of opener George Worker's 49 from 31 balls and No 4 Ross Taylor's 80 off 50 balls at the robust strike rate of 160.
The CD dictum was to keep a winning habit despite having made the playoffs from Thursday and, to Canterbury's dismay, the victors didn't stray from coach Heinrich Malan's script.
After Saturday's win, the Stags have booked a place directly in the grand final at Pukekura Park this Saturday as the second and third qualifiers battle it out Thursday to see who the other grand finalist will be.
"I think that's what it's been about the whole campaign. We needed someone to stand up and someone did every other time," said Worker who also was the most frugal bowler with 1-27 from four overs while opening seamer Seth Rance took 4-27 from 3.1 overs to become the highest wicket taker in the format (14, two above Wellington's Brent Arnel) and also unlucky to miss out on a Black Caps call up.
What will give Malan and his assistant, Ben Smith, the most comfort is that none of the bowlers went over the 10 runs an over mark on a compact Pukekura Park to skittle the Kings for 163 runs with five balls to spare.
"I suppose that's the beauty of our game with everyone bringing some confidence and we back each other so we're playing really well," said the leftie who was unlucky to miss out on the Black Caps' Twenty20 team to play Bangladesh at McLean Park, Napier, tomorrow from 7pm in the first of three in the ANZ Series.
Worker said the wicket was good on a day devoid of rain so even though they lost a couple of early wickets CD still posted a defendable total.
"We bat all the way down so we can afford to go pretty hard at the top," said the 27-year-old, revealing the variables dictated whether they would post a total or reel in one.
Two-game Brisbane Heats seamer Luke Feldman signed off with a tidy 1-34 while former Canterbury left-arm seamer Ryan McCone took 2-36.
First-change bowler Blair Tickner, scoring another opening maiden-wicket over, rounded off a good day at the office with 1-38 after his five-wicket bag against the Auckland Aces. CD will play the Aces from 4.10pm at the Eden Park outer oval tomorrow.
The former New Zealand Under-19 cricketer said there was no easy time to bowl at Pukekura Park, especially when a 200 total appeared achievable.
Ironically Taylor again made it look easy, chucking the ball back into the hands of national selectors for a "please explain" on dropping him "on performance".
"Oh, he's beautiful to watch. He's very valuable so every time he comes back he brings the boys some talent and just shows his class, really.
"Having been dropped from the Black Caps Twenty20 squad, I guess he had a bit of a point to prove and he's certainly done that," Worker said.
Spinner Marty Kain, returning from a neck twist, was 12th man but came on the field for Jayawardene.
"I'm not exactly sure what happened. He tweaked something small when he was batting but he should be good to go in the next game, I should think."
Worker said the crowd at the park was good and felt the Stags gave them an allround performance to savour on a fine day.
The greater Black Caps member said while he came close to making the T20 squad it was out of his control.
"I don't want to dwell on it too much because I just want to get out there and perform to help CD win games so if it [Black Caps] comes along it comes along."
Worker had the first couple of months off this season to rest and rehabilitation from a torn UCL ligament in his left elbow to avoid surgery.
"It wasn't ideal preparation but I feel like I'm beginning to find a little form and good stretch behind me in the last couple of games," he said, disclosing it was only painful when he threw the ball from long distances.
"It was frustrating not to be able to go out and to put your name under the lights for CD but that's part of the job," he said, adding he was fine for the rest of the season.