Left-hander Flora Devonshire brought up her half century with a six as the Central Hinds fought to chase down Northern Districts’ strong total of 292 at Pukekura Park - and did it.

Pulling off their highest ever run chase - and recording the second biggest successful chase in the history of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (all teams), the Hinds stayed right in the frame of a one-day title tilt, nailing an impressive victory in their last home match of the season, with a tough but exciting last two rounds to come.

Northern’s star act had been Caitlin Gurrey who had meanwhile slammed her fifth List A century, 112 off 108 balls, in a 71-run fourth-wicket stand with Nensi Patel (22) — Gurrey dominating. 

It was Northern's best fourth wicket stand against the Hinds in matches between these two sides.

It was also Gurrey’s third one-day century against the Hinds, while Hannah Rowe impressed for the hosts again with the ball.

Rowe conceded just 34 runs and took three wickets off her 10 overs to back up yesterday’s four-for — and, she knocked over centurion Gurrey’s stumps.

Hannah Rowe | PHOTOSPORT

Central kept their heads in a tough chase that went down to the wire, having needed 24 runs off the last three overs (18 balls). 

They had reeled in the asking rate a fair bit already with positive, attacking strokeplay, then Kerry Tomlinson ran a single off the first ball of Shriya Naidu's 48th over, turning over the strike to Devonshire who clubbed a further 14 runs off it to take control of the death overs.

Tomlinson’s rejuvenated form assisted at the death, while young Emma McLeod’s run-a-ball 63 got the Hinds in the contest earlier in the chase alongside Georgia Atkinson.

But it was Devonshire who drove her side home with six boundaries and two sixes in her unbeaten, career best 73* off 71 balls, in a five-wicket win that was achieved with just five balls to spare.

It goes down as the Hinds' second highest List A total of all-time (the winning boundary taking them to 296/5) and keeps them ahead in the race for the last qualifying spot in the Final.

The Hinds now need one more win from the last two rounds in a fortnight's time, and must do it against the defending champion Otago Sparks in Dunedin if they wish to control their own destiny.

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Article added: Sunday 9 February 2025