Des Kruger was just shy of a century at the batting crease on two separate occasions at the weekend. Photo supplied.It is not often one player can claim scores in the 90s on consecutive days.

However that is exactly what transpired for Mid Canterbury and Stags batsman Des Kruger last weekend.

Promoted up the order to an opening position in place of the injured Will McKee, Kruger was integral to Technical’s successful second innings chase against Timaru on Saturday, before he was trapped in front while on 99.

He then backed it up the next day while on representative duty, by hitting an unbeaten 94 for Mid Canterbury in their Ron Biggar Trophy win over South Canterbury.

Reflecting on the dreaded score of 99 at club level, Kruger admitted there were no gripes around the decision which denied him a possible ton.

“I was trying to noodle it down to the leg side and I played the shot a bit early, knowing I was on 99 and looking to get the one,” he said.

“I played over the top of it and basically it hit me on the full on my front toe.

“It was pretty plumb.”

Kruger said there was a hint of incentive striding out to the crease the following day.

“There was a wee bit (of extra motivation).

“With the 99 I felt like I was in pretty good form and knew what I had to do the next day, to spend time at the crease and the runs would come,” he said. “I had a pretty lucky day really.”

The runs certainly did flow for Kruger across the weekend, with a total of 193 runs coming from the bat.

His Saturday stint also bumped his average up to 42.5 after four rounds of the South Canterbury senior competition.

Kruger, who normally bats at four, formed a formidable opening partnership with Jason Morrison on Saturday, as the pair put on 162 runs for the first wicket as Technical secured their first success of the season.

“It’s good fun batting with him,” he said.

“He’s quite an aggressive player and gets on with things, and we rotate the strike well together.”

Although missing out on well-deserved milestones on both days, Kruger said he was just happy to chip in.

“It’s a team sport.

“It would’ve been nice to get a 100, but getting 90-odd for both teams is up there.

“For Tech, we needed our first win and I was happy just to do my bit to get us through.

“And then for the reps, we won the toss and one of us in the top order needed to get a big score to set a target.

“I’m just happy to help the team out.”

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 6 November 2020