Champions League CL T20 - Otago Volts

Otago Volts are a New Zealand side..

6 associations that take part in NZ domestic cricket are -
Auckland,
Northern Districts,
Central Districts,
Otago
Wellington and
Canterbury..

2006 T20 tournament was a KKR type in DLF IPL 2 with the volts not winning a single match, 2007 the format of 2 groups was done away with and a round robin was followed and the change worked for the Volts as they ended as runner-up to Auckland Aces.. In 2008, the team did not make it to the finals..

The 2009  T20 competition was held in the month of February and the final on the 1st of March.. The schedule of the series is something that cannot be understood.. Each team at the end of the tournament play 8 matches.. The top 2 in the round robin round qualify for the finals..

	Played     Won	Lost		Abandoned	Points     NRR
	Otago Volts                       8          6	1		1	26              1.740
	Canterbury Wizards           8          5	2		1	22            -0.021
	Auckland Aces                  8          5	2		1	22            -0.062
	Wellington Firebirds           8          4	3		1	18            -0.369
	Central Stags                     8          1	6		1	6            -0.721
	Northern Knights               8          0	7		1	2            -0.738

So, Otago and Canterbury advanced through to the finals which was abandoned due to rain..

Heavy rain and a sodden outfield has gave the umpires no choice but to abandon play without a ball being bowled in the State Twenty20 final between the State Otago Volts and State Canterbury Wizards at University Oval in Dunedin.

Otago was crowned 2008/09 champions after finishing top of the table after the preliminary rounds.
The State Otago Volts were rewarded with the home final after winning six of the seven matches completed in round robin play with the State Canterbury Wizards winning five from seven and sneaking past Auckland on run-rate.

Champions League Twenty20 Team Named

 

Craig Cumming (Captain) - opened the innings for NZ, 13 tests and 11 ODIs not so impressive record.
Neil Broom - RHB, middle order batsman, still new to international arena..

Nick Beard - 20 year old, a slow left-arm spinner and lower-order batsman

Derek de Boorder - second wicket keeper

Ian Butler - handy bowler

Mathew Harvie

Dimitri Mascarenhas -all rounder from England, also played for Rajasthan Royals

Brendon McCullum - probably the only batting star

Nathan McCullum - Brendon's brother who is good lower down the order and bowls useful off-spinners

James McMillan

Warren McSkimming

Aaron Redmond -not a star, but certainly capable of scoring quick runs, high T20 average

Hamish Rutherford

Greg Todd

Neil Wagner

 

 

The support staff with the team will be: George Morris (manager), Mike Hesson (coach), Vaughn Johnson (asst coach), Greg Usherwood (physiotherapist), Chris Donaldson (strength & conditioing), Anthony Bullick (video analyst). 

 

Otago Volts Coach Mike Hesson said “players have made it difficult with the depth in the squad and some difficult decision have had to be made. I am however very pleased with the quality of the squad of 15 we have been able to select. The squad covers all skill groups required and is well suited to Indian conditions.

 

With seven players having international experience and promising youngsters like Nick Beard, Hamish Rutherford (both New Zealand Under 19) and Neil Wagner who has been very impressive since moving to New Zealand we feel the squad has an exciting mix”

 

 

The video below is that of Brendon McCullum scoring 170 in the State Shield finals, 7 sixes and 19 fours..