Wagner takes MVP honours in State Shield

Despite being on the losing side in the State Shield final, State Otago Volts bowler Neil Wagner did just enough to dislodge Graham Napier from the top of the State Shield MVP table.

Wagner delivered a dominant performance with the ball in the semi-final, taking 3 wickets for a miserly 11 runs as the Volts skittled the State Canterbury Wizards for just 86. The South African born left arm bowler set the tone for the Volts victory, taking the first three wickets in the Canterbury innings and reducing them to 14 for 3. Wagner was less dominant against the victorious State Northern Knights in the final, but his dismissal of dangerous opener Hamish Marshall had the Knights reeling in the early stages of their innings.

State Otago Volts CEO Ross Dykes believes Wagner’s performances throughout the one day competition were vital in securing the Volts a place in the final. “He swings the ball at a brisk pace and is capable of knocking the top of any side over” says Dykes. “He has deserved his success this year and certainly been assisted by the pressure created at the other end by Mascarenhas, McSkimming, McCullum and Butler”.

Volts players dominate the final State Shield MVP table this season; Butler and Mascharenhas join Wagner in the top 10, alongside teammate and recalled BLACKCAP Craig Cumming.

An excellent innings from Knights left-hander Joseph Yovich in the State Shield final has propelled him into the top ten of the State Shield MVP table for the first time this season. Yovich scored a crucial 78 not out to set up the victory for the State Northern Knights, who beat the Volts by 49 runs to take the title in front of a home crowd.

MVP Top Five at a glance

1 G Napier WGN 236.52

2 N Wagner OTG 220.63

3 E Thompson CD 203.67

4 M Sinclair CD 198.99

5 I Butler OTG 183.37

State Shield Top Five

1 N Wagner OTG 146.02

2 G Napier WGN 145.48

3 I Butler OTG 128.56

4 S Bond CTY 124.88

5 C Cumming OTG 111.66

For overall points tables and to create customised MVP rankings go to: http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/domestic/mvp/points-table.aspx