Blackcaps all-rounder Mitch Santner has demonstrated his power-batting ability, leading Northern Brave to the Super Smash T20 men's title with a 56-run win over Canterbury Kings at Hamilton.
Capitalising on a rollicking start from his top order, Santner playing a long-closer role, after big-hitting Colin de Grandhomme fell cheaply and then emulated his international teammate's propensity for clearing the boundary, smashing nine sixes in his unbeaten 92 runs.
Sent into bat by Canterbury captain Cole McConchie, the Brave showed their intention to put a big score on the board for the Kings to chase, with opener Katene Clarke stroking a 19-ball half century, before finally falling for 71 in the 14th over.
After de Grandhomme's departure, Santner faced a long spell at the crease than usual, but quickly gathered momentum, bringing up his second T20 fifty and eventually falling agonisingly short of a maiden century.
The all-rounder put on 50 runs for the fourth wicket with Clarke and then took up the torch when his teammate fell, putting on 73 runs with Henry Cooper (16 off 14 balls) for the fifth.
Northern Brave 217/5 (Santner 92no, Clarke 71, Shipley 2/30) Canterbury Kings 161 (Henry 44, McConchie 23, Sodhi 3/48, Southee 3/39)
Northern Brave with by 56 runs
More to come
