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The Central Stags BLACKCAPS stepped up to help their team secure the narrowest of victories over the Otago Volts at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
Jacob Oram bagged five wickets as the Stags defended the modest total of 116, winning by one run. He ripped through the Otago middle order to finish with of five for 14 off four overs.
It is the best Twenty20 bowling by a New Zealander beating the five for 23 achieved by Iain O’Brien for Leicestershire against Lancashire last year.
The consistent loss of wickets hurt the Volts who started the final over 12 runs behind with one wicket in hand. Ian Butler hit eight and McSkimming made two with one bye to just lose the match.
Butler finished unbeaten on 20 with Craig Cumming their top scorer with 22.
Earlier, the Central total was set up by a blistering 40 from 19 balls by Ross Taylor but the rest of the Central line up failed. The next best was Jamie How with 18 while Mathew Sinclair was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 12.
Butler completed a fine all round match by taking three for 13. Pakistani import Yasir Arafat picked up three for 16.
The win puts the Central Stag on the top of the table with two wins from two matches. Otago join four other teams on four points.
