Sparks, Blaze register easy wins against Magicians, Hearts

Two easy wins headlined the Super Smash 2019-20 clashes on Monday (December 30), with Otago Sparks and Wellington Blaze turning up victorious.

At Molyneux Park, Canterbury Magicians bore the brunt of a Suzie Bates special. She shared two huge partnerships – a 55-run stand with Katie Martin (23) for the second wicket and an even bigger 80-run association (undefeated) with Amanda-Jade Wellington.

Bates and Wellington’s alliance ensured that Sparks posted a huge total of 174 for 3 in their 20 overs. The leg-spinner stayed unbeaten on 42 off just 21 balls with eight fours, while Bates was unconquered in her knock of 82 off 55 balls that featured 12 fours.

Wellington was not done, though. With the ball, she struck regularly to deny Magicians any momentum in their innings. She first got Kirsty Nation (14) in the fifth over before going on to dismiss Alice Mace-Cochrane (8) and Ella Chandler (3) towards the end.

Only Jacinta Savage put in a fight, scoring 30 in 29 balls and hit three fours in the process. Apart from Wellington, Hannah Darlington picked up a couple of wickets.

At the Eden Park Outer Oval, Auckland Hearts were steamrolled by Blaze. Once again, it was a leg-spinning allrounder who took centrestage, Amelia Kerr playing a starring role. She stayed unbeaten on 47 in 35 balls, hitting four fours in the process, as her team hunted down 112 that they needed without much ado.

Leigh Kasperek (26 not out) gave her company as the duo added 76 for the fifth wicket, that proved to be match turning as much as it was match-winning. Before they got together, Blaze were in a spot of bother at four for 37 in just over eight overs. Sophie Devine (1) and Rachel Priest (0) were among those who fell early to leave the side reeling before Kerr and Kasperek took over.

Earlier, Amelia, Jess Kerr and Deanna Doughty picked up six wickets between them to restrict Hearts to nine for 111 in their stipulated 20 overs. Their batting had nothing to write home apart from three 20-plus scores in the innings.

Brief Scores:

Otago Sparks 174/3 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 82*, Amanda-Jade Wellington 42*) beat Canterbury Magicians 108/8 in 20 overs (Jacinta Savage 30; Amanda-Jade Wellington 3-23, Hannah Darlington 2-25) by 66 runs.

Auckland Hearts 111/9 in 20 overs (Katie Perkins 25, Regina Lili’I 25; Deanna Doughty 2-17, Amelia Kerr 2-21) lost to Wellington Blaze 113/4 in 17.3 overs (Amelia Kerr 47*, Leigh Kasperek 26*) by six wickets.