The North Islands, led by skipper Jess Watkin, are up against the South Islands, led by the wicket-keeper batter and skipper Polly Inglis, for a three-match T20 series from 18th to 20th December 2025 at the Saxton Oval, Nelson.
Jess Kerr and Bella Armstrong guide North to a respectable total
The South Island’s new-ball bowlers Emma Black and Poppy Jay Watkins ripped apart the North’s top-order after skipper Polly Inglis won the toss and opted to bowl first, at Nelson. Prue Catton joined opening batter Georgia Plimmer at the crease with their side in deep trouble at 16/3 in the 3rd over of the innings.
The pair assessed the conditions on offer and weathered the storm with a much-needed 54-run partnership for the 4th wicket. The White Ferns veteran Lea Tahuhu cleaned up Prue Catton (32 off 27 balls), to provide the crucial 4th breakthrough for the South in the 10th over of the innings. The introduction of Anna Browning brought another breakthrough in the form of a well-set Georgia Plimmer (26 off 25 balls) for the Polly Inglis-led side in the 12th over of the innings.
Bella Armstrong joined Jess Kerr at the crease, and the pair infused the momentum into the innings with a quick-fire 35-run stand for the 6th wicket, which also took them past the 100-run mark. Lea Tahuhu returned and ended Jess Kerr’s cameo (23 off 11 balls) in the 15th over of the innings. Her brief stay at the crease included a boundary and a couple of maximums.
North Island eventually ended up with a fighting total of 142/7 in their quota of 20 overs. Bella Armstrong (31* off 21 balls) stayed unbeaten, smashing 5 boundaries in her knock. Wicket-keeper batter Kate Gaging (12 off 21 balls) played her part with the bat for her side. Emma Black (4-0-17-2) and Lea Tahuhu (3-0-33-2) picked up a couple of wickets each. Melissa Banks (4-0-28-1), Abigail Hotton (4-0-28-0), and Anna Browning (2-0-15-1) were impressive with the ball for the South Island.
Issy Sharp shines with a brisk half-century as South take T20 series lead
Chasing a target of 143, the South Island openers, Kate Anderson (34 off 15 balls), alongside Bella James (15 off 18 balls), launched a counterattack as the duo brought the 50-run stand in the 6th over of the run chase. Jess Kerr bounced back with double strikes, removing both the openers after being smashed for a boundary on the first ball of that over.
Bree Illing sent back Olivia Gain in the 7th over to pull things back for her side. Skipper Polly Inglis joined Izzay Sharp at the crease, and the duo led the recovery with a crucial 34-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Bree Illing returned and got the big scalp of the opposition skipper, Polly Inglis (15 off 8 balls), as she threatened to inflict further damage.
A decisive 51-run partnership for the 5th wicket, between Anna Browning and Izzy Sharp, took them on the brink of a dominant win. Izzy Sharp registered an enterprising half-century (58 off 34 balls) before getting dismissed by Jess Kerr in the 16th over of the run chase. Her knock included 5 boundaries and 4 maximums.
South Island eventually got over the line with 5 wickets in hand and 21 balls to spare, giving them the 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Anna Browning (17* off 15 balls) played her part with the bat for her side. The pace-bowling duo of Jess Kerr (4-0-39-3) and Bree Illing (4-1-13-2) were the lone warriors with the ball for the North Island.
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