ROUND FOUR
Auckland Hearts beat the Canterbury Magicians by 41 runs at Auckland's Melville Park on 3 December 2017
Another day, another captain's knock from new Hearts skipper Maddy Green as she backed up yesterday's half century with a classy 80, this time, at first drop.
Given the hosts were now missing the usual batting strength of Anna Peterson and Katie Perkins (ill and injured respectively, Perkins out with a broken thumb), it was a significant hand from the captain as she batted from the early overs all the way into the 43rd over, the rock around which her team built a tally of 204 for nine in their 50 overs.
It's a thumbs up from injured WHITE FERN Katie Perkins
Green was patient, pacing her innings well on a blazingly hot day at Epsom's Melville Park, while Frances Mackay and Kate Ebrahim both picked up three-fors.
Lauren Down, Sarah Carnachan and Arlene Kelly all made contributions to the home side’s total as well, but the Magicians got their chase off to a fast start in reply, captain and opener Mackay looking to emulate Green's influence as she began work on her 82 at the top.
The difference between the two sides was that Mackay stood all but alone as Holly Huddleston again brought the home side back into the contest with the ball, claiming two key wickets early on in Amy Satterthwaite and Kate Ebrahim.
Huddleston was on the way to finishing with a fine haul of 4-22 off her eight overs, with a catch for good measure in the match in which she had also scored her 1000th List A run.
Besides taking wickets, Holly Huddleston reached 1000 List A runs. MButcher/NZC
On a slowish deck, Green brought on the spinners through the middle, Georgia Guy removing Nat Cox to keep the pressure on.
The required run rate climbed on the Magicians and Huddleston’s return brought two more wickets.
Arlene Kelly picked up 2-51, Emma Fulbrook a classy 2-27 while Roz McNeill chipped in with the last wicket.
The Magicians were eventually bowled out in the 46th for 163 to complete a perfect weekend of cricket for the Auckland Hearts.
