Central Hinds produced a disciplined all-round performance to outplay Auckland Hearts in the 19th match of Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) 2025-26 in Auckland on February 7, 2026. In a contest that ebbed and flowed through partnerships and timely breakthroughs, Central Hinds combined steady batting with incisive bowling to secure a convincing 42-run victory.
Central Hinds began their innings with intent, laying a solid platform through Emma McLeod and Georgia Atkinson. McLeod struck a fluent 44 off 49 balls, finding the boundary six times, while Atkinson anchored the innings with a patient 47 from 62 deliveries. Their early stand helped Central Hinds weather a probing opening spell from Rosemary Mair and Hannah Rowe, who maintained tight lines to keep the scoring in check. After Atkinson fell at 94 in the 18.2nd over, followed quickly by McLeod at 95 in the 19.1st over, Auckland sensed an opening.
Cate Pedersen’s brief stay ended for 4 when Rishika Jaswal struck, but Flora Devonshire rebuilt momentum with a brisk 24 off 25 balls, adding a crucial middle-overs partnership that pushed the innings forward. The middle phase saw Hannah Rowe remove Devonshire after she had added valuable runs, while Molly Penfold chipped in with a wicket as the Central Hinds lineup tried to accelerate. Captain Hannah Rowe and the Auckland bowling unit kept chipping away; however, Central Districts’ lower order contributed in small bursts.
Kerry-Anne Tomlinson added 14, Rosemary Mair chipped in with 6, and Ashtuti Kumar’s 7 helped nudge the total along despite a cluster of wickets late in the innings. Auckland’s bowlers shared the spoils, Flora Devonshire led the attack with an outstanding spell of 4 for 32 in 10 overs, Rosemary Mair and Hannah Rowe picked up two wickets each, and Ashtuti Kumar grabbed one. Central Hinds were eventually bowled out for 172 in 39.5 overs, a competitive total built on partnerships rather than one dominant innings.
Chasing a target of 173, Auckland Hearts’ reply began steadily with Prue Catton and Lauren Down attempting to build a foundation. Catton’s 22 off 37 balls and Down’s 35 from 40 deliveries provided early resistance, but Central Hinds’ bowlers maintained relentless pressure. The first breakthrough came when Down departed at 61 in the 11.1st over, sparking a collapse that shifted momentum firmly towards Central Districts. Catton soon followed at 70, and Bella Armstrong fell shortly after, leaving Auckland wobbling at 75 for 3. Maddy Green, leading from the front, tried to steady the chase with 27 off 42 balls, but wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.
The Hinds’ bowling attack was clinical throughout the second innings. Maddy Green, surprisingly effective with the ball, returned figures of 3 for 15 in six overs, dismantling the middle order and removing key players like Isabella Gaze and Kerry-Anne Tomlinson. Rishika Jaswal also starred with three wickets, while Ayaan Lambat, Bella Armstrong, and Josie Penfold chipped in with one each.
Auckland struggled to form substantial partnerships beyond the opening stand, with contributions from Olivia Anderson (4), Ayaan Lambat (7), Molly Penfold (5), and Amie Hucker (7) failing to build momentum. The innings folded for 130 in 32 overs, falling well short of the target despite a fighting start.
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