3 Dec 2010

Stags gore Knights in Twenty20 opener

7:20 am on 3 December 2010

The defending champions, the Central Stags, have started Twenty20 cricket chanmpionship with a thumping 78-run win over the Northern Knights in Hamilton.

The Plunket Shield First-Class competition leaders made 176 for five and bowled tightly to dismiss the hosts for 99 in the 19th over.

The English left-arm spinners Ian Blackwell and Mike Yardy starred for the winners with ball and bat.

Blackwell hit three sixes in his game-high 45 off 24 balls as he and Yardy (32) combined for a rapid fourth-wicket partnership of 76 after a slow team start.

Then they slowed the home side's scoring rate although the teenage paceman Adam Milne with two wickets and former Black Cap Michael Mason,with three had the best bowling figures.