Super Smash 2021-22: Trent Boult smashes a colossal six to help Northern Knights win thriller against Canterbury

Trent Boult has two first-class half-centuries, including one in Test cricket. Moreover, having hit 144 fours and 53 sixes in his career, the right-hander has shown the damage he can do with the bat. For someone, who’s known for ruffling feathers of opposition batters, Boult is no mug when it comes to batting. On Thursday, Canterbury bore the brunt of his brutal power-hitting during the Super Smash.

After being put in to bat first, Canterbury somehow went past the 100-run mark, having posted 107 in 17.2 overs. In the run-chase, the Knights were cruising when they were placed at 72 for the loss of three wickets in 12.2 overs. It seemed as if it’s a matter of time before the Knights got past the finishing line. Boult came to bat when the Knights were tottering at 100 for eight in 19.2 overs.

Trent Boult takes his team past the finishing line

He picked up a single in the very first ball he faced. With seven runs needed off two balls, batter Katene Clarke, who scored an unbeaten 12-ball 32, picked up a single, leaving Boult to score six runs off the last ball. Ed Nuttall, the left-arm pacer, had already picked up three wickets of Anurag Verma, Joe Walker and Ish Sodhi. But the southpaw was expensive as he went at over 10 runs per over.

Nuttall bowled a good length delivery and Boult cleared his front leg to have an almighty heave. Once he connected, the ball was headed for only one result and landed miles above the ropes. The Canterbury players were left absolutely shell-shocked. Boult also couldn’t believe what transpired in the middle. The Knights almost made a meal of a simple run-chase before Boult rescued them.

Here’s the video  

TRENT BOULT!!
Needed 6 runs off the final ball and he delivered!#SparkSport #SuperSmashNZ@ndcricket @supersmashnz pic.twitter.com/GhiSy8DmPf

— Spark Sport (@sparknzsport) December 23, 2021

Thursday’s win has taken the Knights to the top of the points table in the ongoing Super Smash. They currently have 14 points from five matches with a net run rate of 0.577. Canterbury, on the other hand, are precariously placed in the middle of the table with eight points from four games. The Knights will next face the Central Districts on December 30 in New Plymouth.