Jock McKenzie shone on debut for the Auckland Aces today, taking three wickets to help his side get home against the Otago Volts at Eden Park.
The 22-year-old dual sportsman has represented the Blues and Auckland rugby, but it was on the cricket field he showed his talents this afternoon, bowling with pace and bounce that troubled the visiting side.
McKenzie has plenty of pedigree in the summer game - he's the younger brother of former Volt, now Canterbury Kings allrounder Angus (Gus) McKenzie. Their father, Grant McKenzie, played 45 matches for Northern Districts in the days before T20 existed. Angus and Jock's grandfather Bill McKenzie was also a handy cricketer, having played a Hawke Cup Challenge for Hawke's Bay against Nelson in 1960.
McKenzie took 3-31 from four overs to help the Aces restrict the Volts to 138. He had a dream start, picking up the wicket of Ollie White with just his second ball, the Otago batsman chipping him straight to long on.
He nearly had Llew Johnson caught behind next ball, but was rewarded in the following over as Johnson hit him straight to mid off.
The day just kept getting better for McKenzie as he had Dale Phillips caught behind in his third over.
Cam Fletcher was the star of the Aces run chase, slamming an unbeaten 74 to get his side home with two overs to spare.
The Aces have moved into top spot on the Super Smash table, while Otago are in fifth place with dwindling hope of making the top three.
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