Atkinson in the thick of it
All-rounder Georgia Atkinson and her Central Hinds team-mates will be looking forward to getting back into firstclass action after a confidence-boosting hit out in the new Central Super League.
Atkinson, 20, starred with bat and ball for the Palmerston North Tu¯ı¯ in the opening round of the new super league competition at Manawaroa Park, Palmerston North, on Saturday, where they beat the New Plymouth Power by eight wickets.
The Coastal Challengers Levin beat the Tararua Kotahi by eight wickets in the other game, but Sunday’s round of matches was rained off.
Leg-spinner Atkinson took 4-34 as the Tu¯ı¯ bowled New Plymouth out for 129, then she top scored with 77 not out from 100 balls as Palmerston North reached 132-2 in 28.4 overs.
She said she would be confident heading into the Hinds’ fixtures this weekend and the rest of the team would be too because everyone chipped in across the two super league games.
The Hinds have two games against Wellington in Levin this weekend and will be keen to continue their good start after thrashing Auckland by seven wickets and then 10 wickets in the first two rounds.
Atkinson said it was unfortunate not to play the second super league game after a bit of friendly banter between the Tu¯ı¯ and the Coastal Challengers.
She believed the new competition was a good way of developing a pathway
for women’s cricket in Central Districts, especially with a CD under-19 team about to be named.
‘‘It’s good playing against the girls. Playing in the Hinds, because we’ve got a lot of batters and bowlers, people might not get an opportunity to bat.
‘‘It’s cool to be able to open the batting with one of the Wairarapa girls, Ocean [Bartlett].’’
Hinds seamer Claudia Green, playing for the Power, was swinging the ball in windy conditions and took two wickets.
But Atkinson and Hinds team-mate Ashtuti Kumar (29) knocked off most of the runs.
In the other game, the Tararua Kotahi were bowled out for 165 in 47.2 overs where Melissa Hansen top scored with 33 and Challengers spinner Mikaela Greig took 3-25.
In reply Kerry Tomlinson (51 not out) and Greig (53 not out) scored halfcenturies as the Challengers reached 166-2.
Atkinson is originally from Masterton and has played for Wairarapa before this season.
She has been studying a sport and exercise degree at Massey University and this year changed allegiances to play for Manawatu¯.
She hoped to one day become a physical education teacher, but will keep her teaching diploma on hold while she focused on cricket.
The next round of the super league is a twenty20 weekend in Levin next month.