Doug Bracewell swings a shot away for Central Stags in their Super Smash men's Twenty20 win over Northern Brave. Photo: photosport
Black Caps international Doug Bracewell unleashed a brutal 93 not out off just 33 balls as Central Stags crushed Northern Brave by 56 runs in their men's Super Smash Twenty20 match in Palmerston North.
Bracewell smashed 11 fours and five sixes in a whirlwind knock which began in the 13th over of Central's innings, powering them to 206-5.
Northern never threatened the target, dismissed for 150 with four balls remaining in the final over.
Better known for his bowling exploits on the international stage, Bracewell was playing as a batsman only for the stags on Wednesday and justified that status with his highest-ever T20 score.
He put on 79 for the fifth wicket with Dane Cleaver (42) off just 33 balls as Northern's attack were flayed - most notably test veteran Neil Wagner, who conceded 63 off his four overs.
Scott Kuggeleign was comfortably Northern's best performer, taking 2-20 off his four overs before top-scoring with 36 off 16 when batting unusually high in the order at No.3.
The rest of the chase stuttered, aside from a late 36-run cameo from Wagner as the defending champion Brave suffered their first loss of the season, leaving them and Central with identical one win-one loss records.