Latham Shines as Canterbury Kings Defeat Volts in Super Smash

Tom Latham made a remarkable return to the T20 format, leading the Canterbury Kings to a convincing victory over the Volts in the Super Smash derby held at Molyneux Park in Alexandra on March 3, 2024. Latham, who was named player of the match, scored an impressive 75 runs off 48 balls, helping the Kings set a target of 189 runs. In response, the Volts were bowled out for 160 runs, giving the Kings a 28-run victory.

Latham’s performance came on the heels of leading the Black Caps to a successful test series win against the West Indies. He expressed his joy at being back in the T20 format, stating it was “nice to play with freedom” and “good to be back with the Canterbury boys.” His innings included four sixes and seven fours, contributing to a solid opening partnership of 95 runs alongside Chad Bowes, who added 40 runs off 27 balls.

The Kings batted first, and Latham’s aggressive style set the tone. Bowes faced a close call when the Volts’ wicketkeeper, Max Chu, claimed a catch behind, but umpires deemed the replays inconclusive. Henry Nicholls, who benefited from a no-ball call, chipped in with 22 runs before falling to spinner Glenn Phillips, who finished with figures of 2 wickets for 29 runs.

As the Kings reached 188 for 5, they faced a challenging task in defending their total against a Volts side that included Black Caps stars such as Kyle Jamieson and Ish Sodhi. However, it was young seamer Cam Todd who stole the spotlight for the Volts with three wickets for 32 runs.

The Volts began their chase with intensity, led by opener Jamal Todd, who scored 53 runs off 24 balls and hit five sixes. Todd’s explosive batting saw him accumulate 23 runs in a single over bowled by Jamieson, showcasing his aggressive approach. However, despite his efforts, the Volts struggled against the Kings’ bowling attack.

Canterbury’s captain, Cole McConchie, took two key wickets, including that of Jamal Todd, which shifted the momentum back to the Kings. Despite contributions from Chu, who scored 38 runs, and Phillips with 24 runs, the Volts faced a dramatic collapse in the 15th over. They lost four wickets for just 12 runs, severely denting their chances of a comeback.

Sean Davey played a pivotal role in this collapse, claiming two wickets in one over and executing a sharp run out of Danru Ferns. The final nail in the coffin came when Cam Paul bowled Matt Bacon on the last ball of the match, sealing a decisive win for the Kings.

In summary, the match at Molyneux Park highlighted Latham’s return to T20 cricket in style, as the Canterbury Kings demonstrated their strength against the Volts. With a solid team performance and standout individual contributions, the Kings continue to position themselves as serious contenders in the Super Smash league.