Suzie Bates has led her Otago Sparks team to an eight-wicket victory over the Central Districts Hinds with a well-paced half century in Napier today.
Opener and captain Bates went to her 50 with a single in the 16th over and carried her bat as Otago reached Central’s 115-7 with three full overs remaining and the loss of only two wickets.
Polly Inglis hit the winning runs with a four off the last ball of the 17th over as Otago cruised home under bright sunshine at McLean Park.
Otago had Central under immediate pressure after winning the toss and electing to field, Georgia Atkinson out first ball of the innings lbw to an inswinger from Emma Black.
And while fellow opener Hollie Armitage, dropped early in her innings, made a decent fist of putting up a competitive score, hitting 47 off 40 balls, hers was by far the best knock from the home side. Hannah Rowe and Rosemary Mair (both 16) were the only other batters to reach double figures.
Eden Carson was the best of Otago’s bowlers in snaring 3-15 off her four overs.
Central’s total was never likely to be enough but Otago took their time in chasing them down, Bates scoring 52 off 49 balls and fellow opener Bella James belting 39 off 33. Both batters hit five fours.
Bates and James put on 84 for the first wicket.
The result took Otago into second on the table behind Wellington and just above Central.
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