I have just returned from Seddon Park where the Yahoo Xtra Northern Knights lost to the Hell Wellington Firebids. In the briefest of conversations Luke said his leg is good, but it has not yet recovered sufficiently for him to bowl. It didn't seem to affect his running and fielding.
He (27) opened the innings with Jesse Ryder (86) and although both looked a little shakey at the start (Ryder's first boundary was a Chinese cut) they had a 100 partnership after 8 overs. And, of course, that included no scampered singles and only one two. Ryder had 50 after five! Luke appeared to struggle against the dibbley-dobblies of Pig (Scott Styris), until he smashed him for a six. Luke's dismissal was a little unfortunate: He drove a full toss to long off. If it had been elevated slightly more it would have cleared the fielder. The Firebirds then rather limped along to 202.
The Knights started their innings with aggression - two sixes. Wilson and Gibbs seemed to be leading them to victory. And whereas Ryder is a bully, relying on gettig his weight behind his shots, Gibbs played immaculately, until he was caught by Luke at short third man - a relatively difficult chance since he had to make a lot of ground. He had earlier dropped an easier chance, much to the mirth of the locals - they are very partisan here.
The Firebirds won quite comfortably:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/nzdomestic- … 75404.html
There was a terrific run out (of Kane Williamson) by Ronald Karaitiana, who dived to push the ball from going over the boundary, got up and raced round to gather it and throw it straight to the wicketkeeper as Williamson was coming back for the third.
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