An all-round performance from Hayley Jensen leads Otago Sparks to win by 10 runs against the Northern Spirits at Molyneux Park on Sunday.
Northern Spirits winning the toss opted to bowl. Opening the inning for Sparks, Suzie Bates continued her form with the bat as she scored an important 49 in just 36 balls including 8 fours. Sadly, the opener got out one short of her half-century. The other opener, Cowan lost her wicket after scoring just 10 runs.
Once the openers departed, the allrounders took the responsibility for setting up a good total. The trio of Jensen, Darlington, and Aussie leg spinner Wellington with their cameos helped Sparks to set a target of 147 in. 20 overs.
Batting first Sparks lost 9 wickets. Among the bowlers, Esterhuizen the offspinner took 3 wickets and made sure that Sparks does not cross 150 mark. She got good support from the rest of the bowlers.
Chasing the target of 148, Spirits did not have the great starts as their opener Bezuidenhout lost her wicket going for a cover drive in the bowling of Jensen for 3. The inform batter Currey who is in great form this season had a good partnership with the skipper Leydon-Davis. Currey was dismissed by the overseas player Wellington for 24. Though Leydon Davis and Anderson tried to build a partnership both got out at a crucial junction of the match. In the end when 15 needed of 9, the allrounders Jensen and Wellington displayed an excellent piece of death bowling which made Spirit lose by 10 runs.
Brief Scores:
Otago Sparks: 146 for 9 in 20 overs ( Bates 49 & Esterhuizen 3 for 28) defeated Northern Spirits 136 for 8 in 20 overs (Davis 40 & Jensen 3 for 22) by 10 runs.