Under overcast skies in Dunedin, the 30th match of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (HJS) 2025-26 unfolded as a compelling contest between Canterbury Magicians Women and Otago Sparks Women, with momentum swinging early before one side firmly seized control. It was a classic Women’s One Day encounter where partnerships, discipline with the ball, and middle-order composure ultimately shaped the result.
Asked to bat first, Canterbury Magicians began steadily but suffered an early setback when Kate Chandler was dismissed at 44 in the 9.5th over, caught by Caitlin Blakely off Louisa Kotkamp. Chandler’s brisk 29 off 29 balls, laced with six boundaries at a strike rate of 100.00, had laid an assertive platform. Skipper Kate Anderson, leading from the front, anchored the innings with remarkable patience. She found a reliable ally in Darcy Prasad as the pair stitched together a vital second-wicket partnership that carried the score to 77 before Prasad fell for 11 in the 17.3rd over, bowled by Anna Browning.
The innings gained greater fluency when Anderson combined with Izzy Sharp. Their stand pushed Canterbury Magicians past the 150-mark, but Sharp’s well-compiled 65 off 72 balls, featuring nine fours, ended at 191 in the 38th over, caught by Blakely again off Kotkamp, who proved effective in the middle overs with figures of 2 for 41 from 8 overs. Anderson’s marathon knock of 93 from 128 deliveries, including eight boundaries, was finally cut short at 236 in the 45.5th over when she was caught by Felicity Leydon-Davis off Emma Black.
The closing stages saw Jodie Dean inject late momentum with an unbeaten 50 off just 36 balls at a striking rate of 138.88. Her calculated aggression, supported by Melissa Banks’ unbeaten 6, ensured Canterbury finished strongly at 270/5 in 50 overs. The total was bolstered by 15 extras (lb 2, w 13). For Otago, Emma Black (10-0-49-1) and Anna Browning (10-1-49-1) maintained control, while Poppy Jay Watkins (1/46) and Louisa Kotkamp (2/41) made key breakthroughs.
Chasing 271, Otago Sparks’ innings never truly found sustained rhythm. They were rocked early at 13 in the 2.4th over when Saffron Wilson fell for 5, caught by Banks off Stella Cornelius. Caitlin Blakely soon followed at 36 (9.1 overs), bowled by Banks, who emerged as the standout performer with an exceptional 3 for 16 in 6 overs at an economy of 2.66. Anna Browning’s resistance (6 off 22) was cut short at 64 in the 15.6th over, caught by Anderson off Sarah Asmussen.
A flicker of hope arrived through Felicity Leydon-Davis and Polly Inglis. Leydon-Davis top-scored with 40 off 58 balls before falling at 69 (17.1 overs), while Inglis counterattacked with a fluent 45 from 40 balls, striking six boundaries at 112.50. However, wickets kept tumbling—Isy Parry (3), Olivia Gain (9), and Poppy Jay Watkins (28) were dismissed in quick succession as the score slid from 86 to 157 by the 31.4th over.
The lower order offered brief resistance, but disciplined bowling sealed the outcome. Libby Stead (10-0-34-1) and Sarah Asmussen (7-0-43-3) struck crucial blows, while Abigail Hotton (1/42) and Jodie Dean (1/5) chipped in. Otago were eventually bowled out for 175 in 35.1 overs, with 20 extras (lb 2, w 18) contributing to their tally.
In the end, the game was defined by Canterbury Magicians’ structured partnerships and a clinical bowling display. From Anderson’s captain’s knock to Banks’ incisive spell, it was a dominant all-round performance that secured a commanding 95-run victory and reinforced Canterbury’s standing in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Loves all things female cricket