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Kiwi Cricket Kōrero host and writer Vincent Jones writes on the Otago Sparks vs Auckland Hearts Women’s Super Smash 2022–23 fixture (originally written 31/12/22)
Toss: Otago Sparks win the toss and elect to bat
Otago Sparks: Suzie Bates, Olivia Gain, Polly Inglis, Kate Ebrahim, Caitlin Blakely, Felicity Leydon-Davis, Isabella James, Hayley Jensen, Emma Black, Sophie Oldershaw, Molly Loe
Northern Brave: Saachi Shahri, Anna Browning, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Bella Armstrong, Katie Perkins, Skye Bowden, Arlene Kelly, Aime Hucker, Molly Penfold, Fran Jonas
First Innings:
The Sparks didn’t get off to the best start with the bat losing a wicket in the second over with Olivia Gain being given out LBW to Fran Jonas. Suzie Bates, fresh of a hundred the day before was going to be a key wicket for the Hearts, and Amie Hucker provided, Bates unfortunately for her was dismissed hit wicket for 10. Polly Inglis and Kate Ebrahim would need to establish a good partnership if the Sparks were to set a competitive total in Queenstown. The Hearts bowlers kept the scoring down for the Sparks, with some tight bowling to restrict the Sparks to just 34 runs in the powerplay. Following the powerplay, both Inglis and Ebrahim were starting to put a bit of pressure on the Hearts, taking them for overs of seven, 10 and 12. The big breakthrough came in the 13th over when Anna Browning dismissed Inglis for a well-made 29. Ebrahim was now going to be the crucial player in this game if the Sparks were going to get to 140+. Just as she looked like she was going to get going and put on a big score, she was bowled by Fran Jonas for 40. Felicity Leydon-Davis and Caitlin Blakely were now tasked with the job of getting the score moving. Unfortunately for the Sparks and there supporters they lost three wickets in the space of three balls. Arlene Kelly had Leydon Davis for seven and then Isabella James first ball before Blakely was runout trying to find a second run by some good work from Bella Armstrong. Hucker was required to bowl the last over and bowled well, only going for eight runs. The Sparks set the Hearts a total of 131 runs for victory. Ebrahim top scored with 40 and Inglis and Blakely chipped in with 29 and 25 respectively. Kelly and Jonas picked up two wickets each whilst Hucker and Browning chipped in with one each.
Second Innings: Saachi Shahri and Anna Browning opened the batting for the Hearts. Browning got the Hearts off to a good start with a few early boundaries. After a few quiet overs with the last two overs of the powerplay only going for singles and also the Hearts losing Shahri for 5 with Hayley Jensen picking her up. Lauren Down joined Browning and the two of them set about trying to chase the total down. Some tight bowling from the Sparks kept them in the game as they weren’t able to let many boundaries through. With the score sitting at 51/1 after 10 overs it was always going to be an exciting finish to the game. Once Browning fell in the 12th over for 42 from 43 balls, Izzy Gaze was going to have to step up alongside Down to get the visitors the victory. The turning moment of the game came in the 14th over when Gaze and Down took Sophie Oldershaw for 14. The next two overs also went for 10 and seven, bowled by Ebrahim and Jesen respectively. Emma Black also got smashed around in the 17th over by Down, taking her for two fours. With 18 required from the last three overs, it was looking like the Hearts would coast home. The Sparks however decided to turn to captain, Bates to bowl the 18th over and whilst she went for 8 runs, she did get the important wicket of Gaze for 26. With 10 runs needed from the last two overs, Ebrahim was going to bowl the 19th, she went for two wides to start with, and after a couple of singles, Bella Armstrong was out, LBW. 4 runs were needed from the last over, Jesen went for two single to start and then a four giving Auckland the victory by six wickets. Lauren Down was the Dream 11 Game Changer for her match-winning 44*. Browning also got 42 and Gaze 26. Blakely, Ebrahim, Bates, and Jesen all took one wicket.
Result: Auckland Hearts win by 6 wickets.
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