Neil Broom bats out for Otago after a hospital stay

New Zealand batsman Neil Broom put on a brave batting effort on Tuesday in the Plunkett Shield game to take his team close to a thrilling win. Broom, who survived an injury on day three, spent the whole night in the hospital near the Dunedin’s University Oval ground which hosted the game. He walked out to bat at No.8 for his team Otago on the final day when they were chasing 215 in the 4th innings against Wellington.

Wellington started off well after electing to bat first with Michael Papps (46) and Luke Woodcock (36) putting on an 83-run stand for the opening wicket. Michael Rippon and Mark Craig took 4/42 to bundle out the Wellington team to 194/10 from 117/2 with Wellington’s skipper Michael Bracewell remaining unbeaten on 58. The home team took a 95-run first innings lead after posting 289 in response to Wellington’s 194. Jimmy Neesham scored 150-ball 93 with 11 fours and four sixes while Anaru Kitchen (64) and Neil Wagner (40) put on support acts.

Wellington’s top order was once again amongst the runs as they were well placed at 271/3. Papps made a gusty 128 while Woodcock and Stephen Murdoch scored 47 and 48 respectively. It was Michael Rae’s maiden first-class five-fer in 2nd innings which dent Wellington’s road to a big total. They lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs including four wickets at the total of 275 in the space of six deliveries. Otago ended the day on 62/2 with another 153 runs for a victory on the final day.

An injury that put Broom in hospital:

On the 3rd day, Neil Broom suffered a blow on his neck while performing the duties of a close-in fielder. He was in the hospital on Monday night before he was needed to bat for Otago in the morning session on Tuesday. The home team kept losing wickets regularly as they were reduced to 108/6 when Broom walked out to bat. He added 28 runs with Mark Craig who flicked one straight to the fielder. Wagner was trapped in front by Jeetan Patel while Jacob Duffy got run out as the hosts lost nine wickets for 156 with another 58 needed for a win.

Neil Broom anchored the innings by taking singles with the last man standing Michael Rae. The pair batted out ten overs before the lunch break and took the game into the 2nd session. The two right-handers added 40 runs for the last wicket to bring down the victory within 19 runs. Jeetan Patel cleaned up Rae on the final ball of the 80th over to hand Wellington their 6th win in seven matches of the tournament. Broom was left stranded on 43 off 109 balls after spending more than two hours at the crease.