Defending national one-day champions the Auckland Hearts have become the first team to qualify for the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Final after a five-wicket victory over the Central Hinds in Auckland this afternoon.
Victory in the first of two top-of-the-table clashes between the two teams this weekend swept the unbeaten Hearts to 34 points from seven rounds. With a maximum 15 points remaining on offer to each team from the last three rounds ahead of the Final, it was enough to ensure a berth for the ominous Aucklanders with three rounds to spare.
Sent in, Central Hinds opening batsman Natalie Dodd meanwhile lacked support as she scored a century in her 100th Hallyburton Johnstone Shield match - reaching 103 from 157 balls in the Central Hinds' tally of 205/8.
WHITE FERN Holly Huddleston (4-44, below, PHOTOSPORT) did the damage with the ball before fellow WHITE FERNS Anna Peterson (a run-a-ball 54 at the top), Hearts captain Maddy Green (37 off 46) and Katie Perkins - who will play her own 100th match tomorrow (62* off 74) ensured the hosts clinched victory with 11.3 overs to spare.
Milestones
- 100th domestic List A match for Natalie Dodd (Central Hinds)
- Kerry Tomlinson was Roz McNeill's 50th List A wicket
- Natalie Dodd reached 3500 List A runs when on 42
- 8th List A century for Natalie Dodd (first for Central Hinds)
- Natalie Dodd's innings is the highest score for Central Hinds v Auckland Hearts (previously 92 by Aimee Watkin, née Mason at Palmerston North, 2007/08
In Mosgiel, WHITE FERNS spinner Leigh Kasperek (below, PHOTOSPORT) was the star of the show as she helped the Otago Sparks get on top of Northern Spirit early in an eight-wicket win. Kasperek removed both the Spirit's openers for no score, going on to one of her best performances - an economical five-wicket bag (5-10 off 8.5 overs, including four maidens) - as they bowled out their visitors for 122 in 41.5 overs.
An unbeaten 49 from Sparks opener and WHITE FERN Suzie Bates anchored the winning chase that was completed with almost half the allotted overs to spare.
Milestones
- Third women's List A 5-wicket bag for Leigh Kasperek (second for Otago Spirit)
At the Basin Reserve, all eyes were on a pivotal clash between Wellington Blaze and the Canterbury Magicians, the Blaze fighting to overtake the Hinds at the business end of the competition.
Blaze closed the former 10-point gap by four points today with a much needed five-wicket win over the Magicians.
The visitors got off to a shaky start after having been sent in, before WHITE FERN Kate Ebrahim's half century (52 off 79 balls) helped resuscitate the innings from 16/3. Batting at seven, young Ally Mace-Cochrane also reached a half century in the team's tally of 223 for nine, finishing unbeaten on 55* off 60 balls.
However, it wasn't enough to extinguish the Blaze who got off to a solid start in reply, powerful Rebecca Burns (above, PHOTOSPORT) booming a half century at the top (52 off 68 balls) and dominating a 51-run opening stand with Lucy Doolan. When Doolan was run out, WHITE FERN Amelia Kerr (40) combined with Burns for a further 7.4 overs before an unbeaten 47* from Thamsyn Newton helped bring home the win, and the points, with just seven balls to spare (below, PHOTOSPORT).
The same teams meet tomorrow (Sunday) at the same venues other than the Blaze-Magicians Round Eight fixture which will be played at Karori Park.
