Women’s Super Smash: Day 2 – Suzie Bates makes history, hits first ton of the tournament
New Zealand’s Suzie Bates made history when she hit a century against Northern Spirit in the day two of the tournament. She became the first female player to hit a Super Smash ton. Representing Otago Sparks, she helped her team achieve a 9-run victory over Northern Spirit.
A total of 4 games were played on the second day of Women’s Super Smash 2019. The Super Smash is a T20 competition held for domestic cricket players of New Zealand. Here we have summarised the action on day 2 of the tournament-
Match 1: Otago Sparks vs Northern Spirit
Otago Sparks got a much-needed win this season after all-rounder Suzie Bates played a magnificent knock. White Ferns’ Bates scored 106 runs in only 66 balls and remained not out. Meanwhile, she also became the first woman batter to hit a Super Smash ton. Captain Katey Martin also made an unbeaten 64 off 44. Sparks accumulated 184 runs in 20 overs losing only one wicket.
In reply, Northern Spirit had a good start. Katie Gurrey rushed to her half-century in just 31 balls. She made 71 runs off 43 deliveries. Sparks got a breakthrough in the 14th over and the momentum shifted. Finally, Sparks obtained their first victory of the season winning the match by 9 runs.
Match 2: Central Hinds vs Northern Spirit
Katie Gurrey helped Northern Spirit win over Central Hinds by 7 wickets.
Central Hinds had a decent start before Lily Mulivai of Spirit dismissed Jess Watkins on 28. Thereafter Emily Cunningham and Natalie Dodd had a 57-run partnership. Mikaela Greig at the end propelled Hind’s score to 161. Off spin bowler Kate Anderson bagged 3 wickets.
A classy knock by opener Gurrey ensured that the chase became easy for Spirit. She hit an unbeaten 90 off 54 and along with captain Felicity Leydon-Davis, added 109 runs for the second wicket. Spirit chased the target to win the match by 7 wickets.
Match 3: Auckland Hearts vs Otago Sparks
Auckland Hearts remained unbeaten after winning the match against Otago Sparks by 7 runs. Winning the toss, Hearts decided to bat first. Lauren Down and Katie Perkins had a brilliant partnership. But a collapse followed Down’s dismissal, with Perkins remaining unbeaten at one end. Her 60* off 50 balls was the key to the Hearts finishing on 140/6.
The Sparks had a poor start as they lost 2 wickets for only 11 runs. But Suzie Bates and Hayley Jensen turned the cards around. Bates made 76 runs in 64 balls. At one time 17 runs were required off the final 2 overs but the falling of wickets including that of Bates gave the Hearts a 7-run win.
Match 4: Wellington Blaze vs Central Hinds
Wellington Blaze had a 10-wicket victory over Central Hinds in the 4th match of the day. Hinds batted first and lost 2 wickets in the first over itself – Leigh Kasperek dismissed both Emily Cunningham and Jess Watkin on ducks. Natalie Dodd added 22 runs to the total before the Hinds were bowled out for just 56 runs. From Blaze, Jess Kerr took 3 wickets while Leigh Kasperek bagged 2 wickets.
It was a dominating performance by the Blaze with the bat. Both the openers remained not out to see the team through. Sophie Devine hit 42 off just 14 balls while Rebecca Burns hit 13 runs to give Wellington Blaze a 10-wicket win.
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