Brendon McCullum maintained his high standards yesterday to guide Otago into the State Shield one-day final.
McCullum stroked a thoughtful, unbeaten 108 as Otago beat Canterbury by six wickets in the semifinal in Christchurch to book their place in the final against Auckland next Sunday.
After carting England'sbowlers to all corners to average 65 during New Zealand's 3-1 one-day series victory over the tourists, McCullum volunteered to turn out for Otago at the Village Green yesterday.
He had no cause to regret that decision, playing an intelligent, crucial hand after Canterbury had posted a challenging 262 for eight.
McCullum opened the innings for the province and pushed them to the final after sharing a fluent stand for the fourth wicket with English county import Alex Gidman.
These two put on 126 off 144 balls, with McCullum happy to play second fiddle as Gidman contributed a robust 81 off 83 balls, including nine fours.
Once Gidman departed, bowled by young fast bowler Hamish Bennett, McCullum still had no reason to take liberties because Neil Broom adopted the aggressor's role to strike 41 not out off 27 balls to hurry Otago to their target.
When Otago got home with four overs to spare McCullum had faced 126 balls and hit nine fours and one six.
Earlier, Canterbury's innings was built around a fluid 66 from Peter Fulton, who was omitted from the New Zealand side for the final one-dayer against England yesterday after scoring just five runs in his past three innings.
Fulton did not look out of touch against Otago, though, striking 66 from 75 balls, including four fours and three sixes, to lend some starch to the home's team's efforts.
Opener Iain Robertson also prospered to score 53 from 56 deliveries while Johann Myburgh, Shanan Stewart, Chris Harris and captain Kruger van Wyk all chipped in with handy contributions.
Fast-medium bowler Warren McSkimming was targeted by Canterbury, giving up 64 from his 10 overs before seamer Bradley Scott and off spinner Nathan McCullum did much to haul back the scoring rate.
Scott took three for 40 from his full allocation while McCullum bowled intelligently to collect two for 26 off 10.
