KEY PERFORMERS: Wanderers' Harry Unsworth, pictured batting, hit a handy 70 off 41 but his side's 172 wasn't enough to beat United in their T20 match at Tasman Tanning Victoria Park on Saturday. Matthew Boswell (seen here wicketkeeping) went on to hit an impressive 102 off 58. PHOTO/LEWIS GARDNER 100115WCLGCRICKET2
A CENTURY is a rare thing in T20 cricket but a match-winning ton from Matthew Boswell was just what his side needed.
The Property Brokers Wanganui United batsman hit 102 off 58 balls on Saturday in an innings that was part of a quickfire 70-run partnership with Ritesh Verma which
helped pull off a come-from-behind win in their Porter Hire T20 match against Wanderers.
Wanderers won the toss and chose to bat at Tasman Tanning Victoria Park but lost opener Cameron Mackintosh early. They still managed to assemble 172/5 from their 20 overs, the innings led by Harry Unsworth who notched 70 off 41.
Short boundaries and a lightning-quick outfield contributed to what Wanderers would have felt was a good target. United got off to a shocking start, losing regular wickets at the top. But opener Matthew Boswell stuck around and had grafted his way to 50 when he was joined at the crease by Verma with the score at 92/6, needing a daunting 12 runs an over. United had earlier been further in the mire at 31/4.
The pair then set about resurrecting the innings, smashing 70 off the next 25 balls before Verma departed for 24 off nine. "That changed the game," Verma said. Boswell ended with 102 not out at a strike rate of 175 as United clinched the win by three wickets with seven balls left.
