Natalie Dodd. PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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Central Hinds cricket captain Anlo van Deventer was in a record-breaking form on the weekend, leading her team to the top of the table and home advantage for the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day final with a 247-run victory over the Otago Sparks.
The former St Matthew’s Collegiate pupil came to the wicket on Sunday for the Round 10 match against the Sparks in Palmerston North with the Hinds 11 for one, after Jess Watkins was dismissed for a second ball duck.
Van Deventer and Natalie Dodd then turned on a batting masterclass, smashing a record partnership of 328, surpassing the previous record of 308, which was set by Northern Spirits batsmen Felicity Leydon Davis [131] and Kate Anderson [160] on Saturday.
Van Deventer’s 169 not out [148 balls, 27 fours] is a record for the Central Hinds and is the second highest score in New Zealand’s women’s domestic cricket, only behind Suzie Bates’ record of 183.
It was the highest individual score for the Central Hinds in the history of the 50-overs competition, beating Kate Pulford’s unbeaten 153 against the Magicians in the 1999-2000 season.
The partnership ended when Dodd was run out on the final ball of the innings.
The Otago Sparks were dismissed for 92. They lost to the Hinds by nine wickets on Saturday.
Wairarapa Koru Melissa Hansen, making her first appearance for the Hinds this season, impressed with six economical overs conceding only 11 runs.
The Hinds will host the final against Auckland Hearts at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, on Saturday.
Van Deventer, Hansen, Kerry Tomlinson and Georgia Atkinson are the Wairarapa Korus named in the 13-strong squad named for the final.
Meanwhile, in Wairarapa premier club cricket, Marist Old Boys are the surprise leaders after two rounds of the Bidwill Cup.
Five teams are contesting the championship, which will be decided over five rounds, with the leading points-scorer claiming the title.
Red Star, who played in the Coastal Challenge, and Lansdowne, who made up the bulk of the United team in the Coastal Challenge, are joined by Marist Old Boys, Greytown and Red Star 2nds, who have moved up from the
Open Grade.
Games are played in a 100-over declaration format. Teams can bat for a maximum 55 overs.
Seven points are awarded for an outright win. Points are also awarded for a winning draw and losing draw, and batting and bonus points in the first innings.
Marist Old Boys had an easy seven-wicket victory over Red Star 2nds.
Batting first, Stars never recovered from the loss of four early wickets struggling through to 147 all out.
Only Nathan Cottle [46] and Stephen Sprowson [35] showed any resistance.
Scott Wilkinson impressed with a well-compiled half-century as Marist Old Boys eased to victory and maximum points.
Lansdowne showed their credentials as title challengers cruising to a 10-wicket victory over Greytown.
Having won the toss and deciding to bat, Greytown were dismissed for 79 in 37.1 overs. Veteran slow bowler Sanjay Patel was the chief destroyer taking 4-7 off 12.1 overs.
Robbie Speers, 39 not out, and Choi Jackson, 33 not out, were untroubled chasing down the target in 9.3 overs.
The victory also had Lansdowne capture the Bidwill Challenge Cup, which they will put on the line in Saturday’s match against Marist Old Boys.
Bidwill Cup points
Marist Old Boys 15 [2 games], Lansdowne 10 [1], Red Star 7 [1], Greytown 5 [2], Red Star 2nds 5 [2].
