Two strong performances in Christchurch, albeit with contrasting results, kept the CENTRAL HINDS' Hallyburton Johnstone Shield hopes alive as they continued to resuscitate their summer.

The Hinds were up against one of the top two teams this season in the Canterbury Magicians, who were fired up to give their legend Amy Satterthwaite a perfect farewell in her last games at Hagley Oval.

The ground was renamed Satterthwaite Oval for the weekend and, on Sunday as the Magicians' most capped player came out to bat for the last time at her home ground, the Hinds formed a guard of honour on her way to the middle.

 

 

Saturday's game had begun with a minute's silence from both teams and officials for the victims of Cyclone Gabrielle, and then turned into the Kate Anderson show.

Magicians powerhouse Anderson (141 not out off 120 balls) went head to head with the Hinds power hitter JESS WATKIN who burst back into form with an aggressive 96 off just 77 balls, and then backed it up the following day with another half century.

Although disappointed to be caught short of a ton, Watkin's knock gave the Hinds a fighting chance in chasing down 280, the team falling just 21 runs short after Canterbury leg-spinner Sarah Asmussen conjured up a maiden five-wicket bag.

EMMA MCLEOD had reached a half century on Hinds and HBJ debut and, earlier, OCEAN BARTLETT had spun her way to her first four-fa in just her second HBJ appearance.

 

 

Sunday (round eight of 10) was another close battle, but what changed was the result.

In a must-win for the Hinds, the Magicians again won the toss and batted - and this time it was the Amy Satterthwaite show in the legend's last hometown knock.

That knock had been vital to the Magicians who lost their top three early - including Anderson caught for a golden duck.

It was a second early wicket for MELISSA HANSEN (2-35) and the Hinds would continue chipping away collectively around the immutable Satterthwaite at four.

Satterthwaite got the most support from Nat Cox who again chimed in with handy runs at a key moment this season, contributing 38 to their 103-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Bartlett took her second catch to end it, off GEORGIA ATKINSON; and would be in the action again with two runouts at the death as the rest of the Magicians continued to fall away.

Satterthwaite reached her three figures when just three balls had been left in the innings, posting her ton in style with a boundary off Hansen, before indulging in a joyous celebration to the enthrall of her teammates.

Running off with 103 not out off 115 balls by her name, the Magicians would need to defend 242 for eight for the complete fairytale day.

The Hinds suffered some early wobbles with Atkinson caught early, and the big wicket of Hinds captain NAT DODD (18) falling to Gabby Sullivan at 51/2.

But Watkin settled in, and backed up her bittersweet 96 from the previous afternoon with 57 off just 61 balls before young Abigail Hotton had a big breakthough on debut in the 20th.

The required run rate, under five, was not insurmountable for the Hinds, but spinners Satterthwaite and Asmussen kept things tight through the middle to slowly build some pressure.

Asmussen struck in the 27th, Satterthwaite in the 34th to stop MIKAELA GREIG on 56, and the Hinds were 155/5.

McLeod was a key wicket next over for Sullivan (3-40) who then took care of ROSEMARY MAIR off her next over: 166/7, and more than 70 runs still needed.

At the 40-over mark, young allrounders ASHTUTI KUMAR and OCEAN BARTLETT faced a run-a-ball chase, if they could just settle the dust down.

It was an excellent contest, the pendulum swinging back and forth between the two sides, with every ball counting.

They stayed on target, heading into the death overs needing 21 off 24 balls. And, the equation kept dipping as Kumar kept finding timely boundaries.

The pair put together a new record eighth-wicket stand for the team that brought home a three-wicket win, with an over to spare.

Kumar finished unbeaten on a career-best 47* (43 balls) and Bartlett 27* (37 balls) to move up into third spot on the table.

HBJ Round 8

Sunday, 19 February 2023

Satterthwaite Oval, Christchurch

CANTERBURY MAGICIANS lost to CENTRAL HINDS by 3 wickets

Points this round: Magicians 0, Hinds 4

VIDEO SCORECARD

The Hinds are still in with a shout of making the Queenstown Grand Final this summer if other results go their way, but need the Magicians to lose their two remaining matches next weekend. 

The Hinds will meanwhile need to beat the Wellington Blaze in their matches in Palmerston North this Saturday and Sunday.

POINTS TABLE

Wellington Blaze 30

Canterbury Magicians 22

Central Hinds 15

Auckland Hearts 15

Northern Districts 12

Otago Sparks 12

Article added: Sunday 19 February 2023