Perfect family affair in Wellington; Magicians join Blaze in top three

It was a perfect family affair at Basin Reserve on Monday (January 25) as Canterbury Magicians stunned table-toppers Wellington Blaze by nine wickets in the ongoing Super Smash T20. This was Magician’s fifth win of the competition allowing them to become the second team to join Wellington Blaze in the top three qualifying spots.



The destructive Sophie Devine, who came into this match with scores of 108 not out, 59 and 80 in her backyard, was a silent customer on the day accumulating just 13 before she fell to fellow national teammate Lea Tahuhu (2-22).



Maddy Green was caught and bowled for 21 by Jacinta Savage before Amelia Kerr was caught by Amy Satterthwaite off Gaby Sullivan. However, it was Leigh Kasperek (39) who emerged as the Blaze’s top-scorer with minimal support. She was snapped by Tahuhu.



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Tournament’s leading wicket-taker Frances Mackay picked up two wickets while Tahuhu’s spouse Satterthwaite also snared two in the final over to cap a memorable day on the road. In reply, Magicians lost Mackay early, a mix-up with opening partner Natalie Cox.



But that didn’t deter the Magicians’ 133 run chase as Satterthwaite and Cox combined for an unbeaten 100-run partnership for the second wicket to see her team romp home with 10 balls to spare. The former New Zealand skipper was harsh on off-spinner Xara Jetly, who picked up her career-best 4/9 against Otago Sparks the other day.



The left-hander danced down the pitch and went for 6, 4, 2, 4, 4 to take 22 runs from a Jetly over and looked like she is back in her vintage best clobbering nine fours and two sixes before ending the match with an effortless lofted drive for four off the spin of Kasperek.



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Cox too played a brilliant supportive role with her almost run-a-ball unbeaten 48 despite the fact she was given a massive stumping let-off when on 19.



Brief scores: Wellington Blaze 132/9 off 20 overs (Leigh Kasperek 39; Amy Satterthwaite 2/5, Lea Tahuhu 2/22, Frankie Mackay 2/25) lost to Canterbury Magicians 134/1 off 18.2 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 71*, Natalie Cox 48*) by nine wickets.