Hugo Bogue pictured playing for New Zealand at the U19 World Cup.
One of New Zealand cricket’s brightest young talents has put Southland well and truly on the back foot at the end of day one of the two-day Hawke Cup fixture in Invercargill.
Seventeen-year-old Hugo Bogue, who made his domestic debut for the Volts last week, is lining up for Otago Country against Southland at Queens Park.
The New Zealand Under-19 representative provided those at Queens Park with a glimpse of his ability on Saturday with his unbeaten 82 not out from 128 balls.
It has put Otago Country in a commanding position at 153 for one at stumps, as the visitors trail Southland by just 60 runs with nine wickets still in hand heading into day two on Sunday.
Bogue put on 105 for the first wicket alongside Sam Harper (52) as the Southland attack struggled to make any inroads.
Earlier in the day, Southland captain Jason Osborne won the toss and chose to bat first.
While six Southland batsmen passed 20 runs, none of them was able to push on to a really big score. Although admittedly it was against an Otago Country attack that included three bowlers who have lined up for the Volts this season – Mason Clarke, Thomas O’Connor, and Toby Hart.
Osborne was the pick of the Southland batsmen with his entertaining 54 from 47 balls, which included four sixes.
Southland was eventually bowled out for 213, despite being 101 for three at one point.
The first assignment for Southland on day two on Sunday will be to remove Bogue before the young talent goes really big with the bat and bats Southland out of the game completely.
The first ball on day two is scheduled for 10.30am.