North Island clinched a close victory over South Island in the 1st One-Day of the 3-match series. In the series decider, the 2nd ODI, the South openers Bella James and wicket-keeper batter Olivia Gain got their side off to a steady start with a 30-run opening partnership after North skipper Maddy Green won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Jess Kerr broke the stand, by removing wicket-keeper batter Olivia Gain in the 9th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for North.
Izzy Sharp joined Bella James at the crease and the duo took their side past the 100-run mark with a much-needed 88-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Ocean Bartlett brought the Maddy Green-led side back into the contest, by removing both the set batters Bella James (64 off 61 balls), and Izzy Sharp (29 off 54 balls) back into the pavilion in quick succession. The opening batter James completed her half-century before getting dismissed in the 22nd over of the innings.
Skipper Hayley Jensen joined Caitlin Blakely at the crease and the pair counter-attacked with a massive 108-run partnership for the 4th wicket, taking their side closer to the 250-run mark. Flora Devonshire broke the ominous stand by sending Caitlin Blakely (51 off 65 balls) in the 44th over of the innings to provide the 4th breakthrough for the North Island. She also completed her well-crafted half-century before getting dismissed.
South Islands eventually ended up with a competitive total of 280/8 in their quota of 50 overs. Skipper Hayley Jansen (59 off 53 balls) also chipped in with a handy half-century for her side with the bat. Eden Carson (20 off 16 balls) displayed her batting credentials. Jess Kerr (10-3-41-4), and Ocean Bartlett (8-0-38-2), were the stand-out performers with the ball for North Island. Bree Illing (10-0-50-1), Flora Devonshire (6-0-40-1), and Nensi Patel (6-0-34-0) were impressive with the ball for their side.
Chasing a massive target of 281, the North openers Jess Watkin and Emma McLeod got their side off to a solid start with a 75-run opening partnership. Melissa Banks broke the stand, by sending Emma McLeod back to the pavilion to provide the first breakthrough for South in the 14th over of the innings. Hannah Rowe and Saachi Shahri made their way back to the pavilion to bring South Island back into the contest.
Skipper Maddy Green joined opening batter Watkin at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with an unbeaten 176-run partnership for the 4th wicket to seal the game by 7 wickets and 47 balls to spare.
Watkin (115* off 122 balls) and skipper Green (109* off 59 balls) notched up their respective centuries to guide their side over the line in the run chase. Mellisa Banks (7-0-35-2), and Anna Browning (10-0-47-1) were the top performers with the ball for South Islands. A comprehensive victory has ensured that they clinch the three-match One Day Series, with a game to go.
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