CD beat Hurricanes in Global Super League
- Dave Worsley
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Central Districts have won their first T20 match outside New Zealand, beating Australia’s Big Bash champion the Hobart Hurricanes in the Global Super League in Guyana by 16 runs.
Central had to survive a dangerous late charge from Afghan star Mohammad Nabi who blasted 43 off 35 balls to give the Hurricanes an outside chance.
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The Hurricanes had needed 19 runs off the last six balls, but Nabi fell at the start of the final over to sharp-eyed paceman Blair Tickner.
Tickner realised that Nabi had, somewhat unluckily, smacked his first delivery in the clutch over into his own boot, the ball looped up and Tickner appealed as he collected it.
Tickner (2-34) then struck again, two balls later, to effectively seal the deal for a special win.
On a fresh deck under lights, Central captain Tom Bruce had earlier decided to break with form — batting first for the first time at the Global Super League, after winning the toss for a third consecutive time.
Then he showed exactly how it was done, top-scoring with 62 off just 36 balls in a competitive total of 167-4.
Central are bottom of the table at the GSL, but that was the highest team total by any team so far at this year’s tournament.
Bruce's his half century off 28 balls - equalled the all-time tournament record for the fastest half century and was the second highest knock by anyone so far in this year’s league .
It recalled the commanding Super Smash form that saw him lift the national trophy earlier this year, and the Stags were on their way to a special payday.
Bruce had come in after another promising start from Black Cap Will Young (24 off 18) had been nipped in the bud during the power play.
But although the Hurricanes took three wickets inside the first eight overs, Bruce and Curtis Heaphy took control of the rest of the innings with their 113-run fourth-wicket stand, conjured up off just 73 deliveries.
Bruce fell to Odean Smith at the death, but Central's West Indian overseas signing Matthew Forde — striking at 190.00 for the tournament — strode in and nervelessly belted 14 runs off just three balls (including two sixes) to top up the CD's total.
Heaphy meanwhile finished unbeaten on 50* off 38 balls, having found the rope six times as he raced to the second T20 half-century of his emerging career.
The 21-year-old from Manawatū was making his maiden GSL appearance, having carried the drinks in Central's previous two matches.
CD lost to Dubai Capitals and Guyana Amazon Warriors earlier in the tournament which perhaps led Bruce decide to bowl second overcoming a significant dew factor in the second innings.
Dane Cleaver became the first player to reach the 100-cap milestone for Central Districts, and the victory gives them a tournament lifeline — albeit needing other results to fall their way.
Central have one round to come against the defending GSL champion, Bangladesh’s Rangpur Riders, early on Friday morning (NZT).
Tickner and off-spinner Angus Schaw are both among the top five wicket-takers at the tournament while Bruce has shot up the leaderboard in the batting stakes.
Teams in the Global Super League receive US$25,000 (NZ$41,200) for each win in the rapid fire group stage, with a further US$250,000 if they make the final and lose, and US$500,000 (NZ$824,000) if they win the July 19 final.