Some North Otago cricketers may aspire to be Black Caps one day, and with a disastrous six ducks in one innings, could be well on their way.
North Otago were simply outclassed in their Hawke Cup match against Canterbury Country at Oamaru's Centennial Park at the weekend.
Canterbury Country won by 243 runs in the two-day fixture.
After batting for the whole of the first day they were 250 for six at stumps.
The next morning the North Otago bowlers were more accurate, dismissing the last four batsmen for just 19 runs, leaving a target of 269.
Paul Odell took five wickets for 63 off his 30 overs and Tom Cullen took three for 70 off 27 overs.
Then came the duck-fest.
North Otago was less than impressive in their turn at bat with the top four batsmen reaching a combined total of zero. The bottom two batters were also included in the six-duck tally.
Gavin Strachan showed almost the only resistance with 26 runs not out, helping North Otago limp to a total of 64.
All the Canterbury Country bowlers took a brace of wickets, with David Hay giving up only one run of his two wickets off seven overs - a no ball.
The visitors started the second innings with two new openers and reached 104 runs before declaring. Brendan Donkers made 56 not out, and Simon Edwards 43.
North Otago then put up a fight until time went against them, reaching 179 for five before the end of the two days.
Captain Mark Patterson had a good knock, with 84 runs including two sixes and 12 fours, and school-boy Blair Cooper gained an impressive 64 runs off 10 fours and one six.
Hay again bowled well for Canterbury with two for 14 off four overs.
Patterson said there was good and bad for the side in the match considering they were playing against a team with four first-class cricketers in it.
"The bowling was good on Sunday morning and Blair (Cooper) was batting like a pro out there. It's something to build on for our Southland match in a fortnight."
He and opposing captain Peter Fulton were full of praise for the pitch conditions and said the groundsmen had done a great job.
Fulton said his side were happy with the win, and that they got to try a few new batting combinations and give their spinners a bowl.
Short Scorecard(s)
Representative - Friendly -
Canterbury Country vs North Otago at Centennial Park, Oamaru
Canterbury Country 269 ( B.J.K. Doody 63, P.G. Fulton 38, A.W. Robertson 38, R.M. Frew 33, C.J. Sowden 29, D.J. Bulman 18, S.J. Edwards 17, B.P. Donkers 11no, P.M. Odell 5-63, T. Cullen 3-70 ) & 104-0dec ( B.P. Donkers 56no, S.J. Edwards 43no )
North Otago 64 ( G. Strachan 26no, R. Snell 16, D.J. Hay 2-1, L.C. Smith 2-6, D.M. Bulman 2-11, C.J. Snowden 2-18, B.P. Donkers 2-22 ) & 179-5 ( M. Patterson 84, B. Cooper 64, D.J. Hay 2-14, P.W. Borren 2-49 )
First innings win to Cantebury Country
Full scorecard for the match