Anlo van Deventer … scored 35 not out. PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
[email protected]
Two of the Wairarapa Korus played starring roles for the Central Hinds in two contrasting games against the Auckland Hearts over the weekend.
The Hinds had a loss and a win at Colin Maiden Park, Auckland and kept alive their chances of retaining the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, the premier trophy in New Zealand women’s cricket.
However, their prospects weren’t looking good after an eight-wicket thumping on Saturday.
Korus captain Melissa Hansen, with 17 not out, and Monique Rees, 21 not out, combined for an unbeaten ninth wicket partnership of 36 to give the Hinds a respectable total of 217-8 off 50 overs.
“Monnie [Rees] and I had a good partnership and took the score close to what we targeted but Auckland were too good for us in the end,” Hansen said.
Hansen was involved in both Auckland dismissals, running out opener Gemma Adams for 15, and then having the other opener, Saachi Shahri, caught by Mikaela Greig for 47.
Sunday’s game was a complete turnaround with the Hinds cruising to an eight-wicket victory after the Hearts were dismissed for 83, with Hansen and Rees on fire with the ball.
Hansen snared the wickets of top order batters Arlene Kelly, Regina Lili’i and Bella Armstrong for the impressive figures of 3-19 off eight overs.
Hansen said she rethought her strategy and went back to basics.
“On Sunday, I went back to being patient and not searching for wickets like I did on Saturday. I bowled a tight line and waited for them to make mistakes,” she said.
“Claudia Green and I had a good partnership bowling together, although she didn’t get any wickets, we kept the pressure on their top order, and it worked.”
Rees chimed in with the wickets of Tariel Lamb and Amie Hucker finishing with the outstanding figures of 2-6 off five overs.
Hinds captain and former St Matthew’s Collegiate student Anlo van Deventer finished 35 not out as the Hinds scored the winning runs with more than 28 overs to spare.
Hansen said it was nice to make an impact in the games, after a frustrating season.
“I hadn’t really bowled much in the Super Smash and had only come on to bowl a couple of overs here and there, and only come into bat right at the end of games.”
She added that bowling eight overs [2-22] and scoring 65 not out in the Korus’ win over Wanganui on January 26 had helped.
“It was good to get some bowling in, and Monnie and I had a good partnership [59 runs] to win that game and that helped us both.”
The Hinds have two further matches, against the Canterbury Magicians at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth, on February 23-24.
They must win both games and hope that the Northern Spirit, who are assured of playing in the final, beat the Auckland Hearts in both their games.
