Hinds, Blaze and Hearts begin Super Smash with a bang

Huge totals and one-sided matches were the standout themes of the first day of the Super Smash - New Zealand's domestic T20 competition - on Friday (December 13). Wellington Blaze thrashed Otago Sparks in their opening round game, while Canterbury Magicians - who played two matches in the day - lost to both Central Hinds and Auckland Hearts in Lincoln.

In the first match of the day, Hinds overcame Magicians by 19 runs. Opting to field first, Magicians restricted their opposition to 137 for 7 in their 20 overs. Natalie Dodd top-scored for Hinds with a 42-ball 43. She shared a 71-run partnership with Emily Cunningham who also scored a useful 36. Gabby Sullivan and Lea Tahuhu were Magicians' most successful bowlers with two wickets each.

In reply, Magicians got off to a disastrous start, being reduced to 5 for 3 - Kirsty Nation, Natalie Cox and Jacinta Savage all dismissed for ducks. Skipper Frances Mackay and Tahuhu's 55-run stand for the sixth wicket gave Magicians some hope, but following the latter's dismissal for a 22-ball 38 and Mackay's wicket three overs later, they tottered to a total of 119 for 9. Right-arm seamer Hannah Rowe was the pick of the bowlers, with excellent figures of 3 for 27. Rosemary Mair, her fellow seamer, also took two wickets.

In the second match in Lincoln, a 141-run stand between Rachel Priest and Maddy Green headlined Blaze's 66-run trouncing of Sparks. Electing to bowl first, Sparks managed to get rid of the dangerous Sophie Devine for a solitary run, and also saw the back of Rebecca Burns to have Blaze hobbling at 6 for 2. However, once Priest and Green got together, Sparks seemed to have no answer to the duo. Green, on debut for Blaze, scored 63 off just 36 balls, smashing 10 fours and a six, while Preist top-scored with 76. The duo's blitz propelled Blaze to 189 for 7 - Ella Black's three-for pegging them back.

 

Out of the park! 🚀🔥

Maddy Green and Rachel Priest's partnership is now worth 81.

Blaze 88/2 (8.2) | LIVE SCORING | https://t.co/5w1wQ3zbOD#WEAREWELLINGTON🟡⚪️⚫️#SuperSmashNZ pic.twitter.com/bgRuVhfYdq

— Wellington Blaze (@Wgtn_Blaze) December 13, 2019

 

In the chase, Sparks' hopes seemed to hinge solely on Suzie Bates. However, her departure for 31 snuffed out all their remaining chances. Bates aside, only Katey Martin and Bella James offered brief resistance with scores of 23 and 22 respectively. Blaze's spinners restricted Sparks to a total of 123 for 9 - Amelia Kerr, Leigh Kasperek and Deanna Doughty chipping in with two wickets each.

In the final game of the day, a battered Magicians team collapsed to a 68-run loss against Hearts. Electing to bat, Hearts posted a huge total of 204 for 5 on the back of Katie Perkins' 39-ball 65. She was well supported by Anna Peterson who blasted 41 at the top of the order, while Holly Huddleston provided finishing touches to the inning with a quick-fire 32 not out.

For the second time in the day Magicians were playing the catch-up game with the bat. Their top-order failed to deliver as a unit - once again, only Mackay providing any resistance with a solid 49. Her efforts meant Magicians finished with 136 for 5 - Hearts' skipper, Peterson accounting for two wickets.

Brief Scores:

Central Hinds 137/7 in 20 overs (Natalie Dodd 43, Emily Cunningham 36; Gabby Sullivan 2-18, Lea Tahuhu 2-20) beat Canterbury Magicians 118/9 in 20 overs (Frances Mackay 44, L Tahuhu 38; Hannah Rowe 3-27, Rosemary Mair 2-6) by 19 runs.

Wellington Blaze 189/7 in 20 overs (Rachel Priest 76, Maddy Green 63; Emma Black 3-19,  Eden Carson 2-28) beat Otago Sparks 123/9 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 31, Katey Martin 23; Leigh Kasperek 2-18, Amelia Kerr 2-21) by 66 runs.

Auckland Hearts 204/5 in 20 overs (Katie Perkins 65, Anna Peterson 41; Jacinta Savage 3-36)  beat Canterbury Magicians 136/5 in 20 overs (Frances Mackay 49, Natalie Cox 25; Anna Peterson 2-19) by 68 runs.