Aaron Redmond produced almost a one-man demolition job as Otago beat Central Districts by 46 runs in a Twenty20 cricket match last night.
It was an all-round performance which helped competition leaders Otago consolidate their lead over their nearest rivals on the State ladder - Central.
Redmond topscored
with 59 off 34 balls in his team's 167 for nine at McLean Park in Napier before his legspinners undid Central Districts.
Redmond's half-century contained seven 4s and two 6s and nudged Otago over the 8-runs-per over mark.
When it came to Otago's turn in the field, Central began shakily, losing Geoff Barnett and Peter Ingram with only 25 runs on the board, although Jamie How was on the way to making 45 off 45 balls.
The turning point came when Redmond came on to bowl - and he took four wickets for 24 runs off four overs, a good return for a legspinner in this form of cricket. For good measure, he also picked up a run-out to be personally responsible for five dismissals.
In the end, the home side were dismissed for 121 in 19 overs, although Redmond did not quite top the bowling as well as the batting.
He was overshadowed by that of Central Districts seamer Ewen Thompson, who did his best to restrict Otago by taking five for 33.
