Otago survived a audacious return to New Zealand domestic cricket from Chris Harris to win a thrilling State Shield one-day match in Alexandra yesterday.
Otago kick-started the competition with a three-run victory after Iain Robertson could only score a single from the final ball when a four wouldhave tied the scores.
Nic Turner bowled a full ball which Robertson could only squeeze to cover, a ball after having smashed a six to set up what would have been a remarkable win.
Instead, the visitors had to settle for 222 for six in reply to the hosts' 225 for eight at Molyneux Park.
Veteran New Zealand allrounder Harris, who has been unavailable for the State Championship while competing in the rebel Indian Cricket League, nearly steered his side home through quality returns with both bat and ball.
He was the pick of the Canterbury bowlers with two for 24 off 10 tight overs and was unbeaten on 50 off 45 balls as he nearly steered his team home after they had spent most of the run chase well behind the required run rate.
A Harris six and four off the penultimate over bowled by Bradley Scott gave them a glimmer, leaving them 17 to win.
Turner was a key figure, earlier bowling Kruger van Wyk for 60 after he and Harris had added 76 at run-a-ball for the sixth wicket and ending Andy Ellis' innings at 52 with a fine catch.
Another Otago hero was opening bowler Craig Smith, who conceded a miserly 13 runs off his 10 overs. Their innings finished strongly, courtesy of an unbeaten 52 from Derek de Boorder.
