In the 18th match of the New Zealand Cricket Women’s One Day Competition 2025-26, which took place in Rangiora on December 14, Wellington Women showcased a solid all-around performance, clinching a victory over Canterbury Women by four wickets with a whopping 61 balls to spare. The match unfolded in a way that displayed Wellington’s early bowling dominance, a lone batting effort from Canterbury, and a steady, partnership-focused chase that highlighted Wellington’s depth and execution.
Canterbury Women, who batted first, quickly found themselves under pressure from a disciplined Wellington bowling attack. They struggled to build any momentum as early wickets kept falling. Captain Kate Anderson tried to stabilize the innings but soon lost her partners, with both Abigale Gerken and Kate Chandler going cheaply. Jess Kerr led the charge for Wellington, swinging the ball sharply and exploiting the conditions to deliver a series of early blows.
Amidst the chaos, Izzy Sharp stood out as the backbone of Canterbury’s innings. Batting with maturity and purpose, she scored a solid 67 off 73 balls, offering a glimmer of hope. Jodie Dean provided some support, and together they formed the only meaningful partnership for Canterbury, temporarily easing the pressure. However, Wellington responded by tightening their grip through the middle overs, and Xara Jetly’s tidy bowling led to important wickets, assisted by sharp work behind the stumps from Jessica McFadyen.
After Sharp was dismissed shortly after reaching her fifty, Canterbury’s resistance began to fade. Melissa Banks and Abigail Hotton contributed with a few runs, but the tail couldn’t withstand Wellington’s relentless attack. Jess Kerr’s remarkable spell concluded with stunning figures of 7 for 18, backed up well by Rachel Bryant and Jetly, ensuring Canterbury were bowled out in just 33 overs for a modest total.
When it came time for Wellington to chase the runs, they approached it cautiously, knowing the importance of not losing early wickets. Although captain Georgia Plimmer fell early, Rebecca Burns anchored the innings with a confident 36, rotating the strike and capitalizing on any loose deliveries. She found solid support from Xara Jetly, and together, they built a stabilising partnership that shifted the momentum in Wellington’s favour.
After Burns was dismissed, Jess Kerr continued to make an impact, this time with the bat, scoring a composed 41. Her partnership with Hannah Francis was crucial, effectively quelling any hopes Canterbury had of a comeback. Even though both Kerr and Francis fell in quick succession, the required run rate remained manageable. Jessica McFadyen played a steady role in guiding the chase, with Jessica Simmons eventually finishing the match confidently, leading Wellington to victory with overs to spare.
Canterbury’s bowlers fought hard despite defending a low score, with Gabby Sullivan and Sarah Asmussen being the standout performers, each taking two wickets. Melissa Banks and Abigail Hotton contributed with key breakthroughs, but the lack of strong partnerships with the bat left Canterbury with too much to overcome.
All in all, Wellington Women delivered a commanding performance, driven by Jess Kerr’s extraordinary seven-wicket haul and backed by well-structured batting partnerships. This victory bolstered Wellington’s standing in the competition, while Canterbury was left to ponder their missed opportunities and the need for better batting resilience in future matches.
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