Clinical Hinds seal comfortable victory over Magicians

Central Hinds registered their second victory in the Super Smash 2019-20, by beating Canterbury Magicians by seven wickets at McLean Park on Monday (December 23). The loss meant Magicians remained winless in the tournament after playing four matches. Hinds' victory was first set by their bowlers,  who restricted Magicians to just 115. Later, Hinds batters ensured the chase was completed with 19 balls to spare.

Electing to bat, Magicians managed to get to a decent start as their openers Kirsty Nation and Frankie Mackay posted 31 runs in the first four overs. Just when the duo was about to go unscathed in the power play, Magicians struck by removing Nation for 17. Jess Watkin picked up her wicket.

The wicket of Nation put the brakes on run-scoring as Magicians batters struggled for momentum.  In the middle overs, Hinds bowlers tightened the proceedings by not giving away too many runs. Watkin, Claudia Green and Mikaela Greig gave away just 51 runs in their 12 overs combined, returning with three wickets.

Skipper Mackay was accelerated at the fag of the innings, scoring 41 runs in the last five overs. Allie Mace-Cochrane too helped her with an unbeaten 21 off 22 balls. Mackay top-scored with an unbeaten 56.  For Hinds, Greig was the pick of the bowlers returning with two wickets and giving away just 11 runs.

Chasing just 116, Hinds got off to a flier as their openers Emily Cunningham and Watkin put on 45 runs in just four overs. It looked like the game would get over in a canter. Gabby Sullivan dismissed both the openers and gave Magicians a chance to come back into the match.

Natalie Dodd and Anlo van Deventer then stitched together a vital 39-run stand that all but ensured that Hinds capitalized on the start which the openers gave. Van Deventer was the more aggressive of the two as she scored 26 runs off just 21 balls before Jacinta Savage dismissed her.

Dodd's unbeaten 28 and Kerry Tomlinson unbeaten 11 ensured Hinds sealed the match without any further hiccups.

Brief  Scores: Canterbury Magicians 115/3 in 20 overs (Frankie Mackay 56*, Allie Mace-Cochrane 21*; Mikaela Greig 2/11, Jess Watkin 1/22) lost to Central Hinds 117/3 in 16.5 overs (Jess Watkin 29, Natalie Dodd 28*; Gaby Sullivan 2/13) by seven wickets.