Jensen, Cowan fifties, Carson fifer helps Sparks thump Hinds in Super Smash

Hayley Jensen’s best efforts with the bat and Eden Carson’s best haul with the ball helped Otago Sparks thump Central Hinds in their Super Smash clash at McLean Park on Thursday (January 2).

Millie Cowan and Suzie Bates began in right earnest after Sparks chose to bat. They added 45 in quick time before the latter fell for 31 off just 20 balls, hitting five fours and a six in the process. That brought Jensen, who was promoted to no.3, to the middle.

Along with Cowan, Jensen sent the Hinds bowlers on a leather hunt. Jensen’s previous best in T20s was a mere 37. She bettered that and notched up her maiden half century in the format off 36 balls. She eventually fell on 55 taking just 38 balls. Her knock featured nine fours and one six.

Katie Martin and Amanda-Jade Wellington added the finishing touched with useful cameos – seven-ball 17 for Martin and an unbeaten 19 off just eight balls for Wellington. Meanwhile, Cowan brought up her fifty off 49 balls, carrying her bat through the innings.

Hannah Rowe picked up all the three wickets that fell in Sparks’ innings where they posted 181 in their 20 overs.

Hinds’ reply didn’t really get off to a challenging start as they lost Jess Watkin (5) and Emily Cunningham (13) inside the power play. Only three players – Cunningham, Natalie Dodd (19) and Anlo van Deventer (23) entered double figures.

Carson picked up five wickets for just 18 runs – her maiden fifer in T20s, while Wellington chipped in with a couple as Hinds were bowled out for 109 to go down by 72 runs.

Brief Scores: Otago Sparks 181/3 in 20 overs (Hayley Jensen 55, Millie Cowan 50*; Hannah Rowe 3/36) beat Central Hinds 109 all out in 19.2 overs (Anlo van Deventer 23; Eden Carson 5/18, Amanda-Jade Wellington 2/20) by 72 runs.