Hinds look to continue winning ways in Levin
The Central Hinds couldn’t have made a better start to the season, with two huge wins over Auckland, and they’re hoping for more of the same this weekend in Levin.
The Hinds take on the Wellington Blaze in two 50-over women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield matches at Donnelly Park today and tomorrow, and come into the weekend sitting top of the table.
Central’s campaign started in emphatic fashion a fortnight ago in New Plymouth. In two clashes, the understrength defending champions Auckland were bowled out for 49 and 86, respectively. Central won the first match by seven wickets and the second by 10.
Wellington lost twice to Northern Districts and will be shorn of star players Amelia Kerr and
Sophie Devine, who are still doing their two-week quarantine after playing in Australia’s Big Bash. The Hinds are missing Rosemary Mair, who was with the Melbourne Stars.
Also fresh off a stint in Australia is Hinds all-rounder Jess Watkin.
The 22-year-old powerful hitter and off-spin bowler travelled across the Tasman with the White Ferns for their recent one-day and twenty20 series with Australia.
Watkin didn’t take the field in the internationals, but stayed on for a couple of twenty20 club games in Brisbane.
Although interrupted by two weeks quarantine in Auckland, in which she could only do yoga and indoor exercise, her pre-season has stood her in good stead. Against Auckland she took 1-8 off five overs and scored a quick 22 not out in the first match, before taking 1-6 off seven and blasting an undefeated 68 off 33 balls in the second.
‘‘We’re in a pretty good space, which is really cool,’’ Watkin said. ‘‘We really wanted tomake sure that we did our best in both games.
‘‘I’m pretty happy with where I’m at, which is really good.’’
After two years out of the national team, Watkin heads into this year’s 50-over and 20-over championships hoping to put runs on the board and further develop her bowling to keep her in White Ferns reckoning, with 50- and 20-over world cups on the horizon.
Watkin, who lives in Palmerston North, is this season playing for Manawatu¯ and working for the cricket association 20 hours a week, as well as 10 hours a week in Whanganui, looking after girls’ cricket.
Coach Jamie Watkins said the Hinds made a great start to the season, having won the toss in favourable conditions and then swung the ball. They also took all their catches in strong fielding displays.
He said most of the squad had some form of club cricket under their belts as well as a strong preseason, and Watkin, Hannah Rowe and Natalie Dodd toured with the White Ferns.
On their last visit to Levin last season, the Hinds beat the Otago Sparks in one clash, with the other rained out.
The Hinds have named an unchanged 12 from a fortnight ago. All-rounders Mikaela Greig and Melissa Hansen are poised to each mark 50 one-day appearances for the Hinds this weekend. Both games start at 10am. Entry is free.
Hinds (from): Anlo van Deventer, captain; Hannah Rowe; Georgia Atkinson; Emily Cunningham; Natalie Dodd; Claudia Green; Mikaela Greig; Melissa Hansen; Ashtuti Kumar; Kerry Tomlinson; Monique Rees; Jesswatkin.
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