Cricket: ND ease past Otago in Cup opener

Northern Districts bowler Anton Devcich. Photo / APN

Northern Districts' overseas players Steven Croft and James Foster combined in a marvellous 126-run stand for the fifth-wicket to guide their side to a 24-run win over Otago in the opening match of the HRV Cup at Seddon Park in Hamilton tonight.

Northern posted a challenging 174 for seven and Otago's reply was never able to generate any momentum and petered out with the Volts on 150-6.

Croft and Foster came together with the home side struggling at 42-4 and showed the experience of more than 180 Twenty20 games between them, rebuilding the innings gradually before launching an attack.

The 100-run partnership came off just 62 balls. By the time the pair hit out in the last over, Croft had scored 81 and Foster 48.

Otago's Neil Wagner picked up three late wickets but was expensive with 39 runs coming from his four overs.

Hamish Rutherford top scored for the Volts with 47 from 44 deliveries and Neil Broom played some nice shots in his innings of 33. Jimmy Neesham entertained with hard-hit 36 from 19 deliveries.

Left arm spinner Anton Devcich picked up two wickets at the top of the innings and Bradley Scott proved difficult to get away with just 23 runs from his four overs.