Griffith stars as Sparks win twice
LISA Griffith emerged as a hero for Otago in its opening two twenty20 games in Lincoln yesterday.
The Australian import removed both Central Districts openers to help secure a 23run win in the morning.
But she saved her best for the afternoon match against Northern Districts, taking three for 10 in a comprehensive 57run win.
The 26yearold Sydney Thunder allrounder is available only for the first round of the Super Smash, which will be a relief for the Sparks’ opponents.
But she still has two games left in her brief Otago career. The Sparks play Canterbury today and will complete the first round of games with a match against Wellington tomorrow.
While Griffith was the star, she had plenty of help.
The Sparks posted 129 for four against Central Districts. White Ferns spinner Leigh Kasperek whacked eight fours in an undefeated innings of 54, while Suzie Bates got the team off to a solid start with 43 from 50.
Kasperek took two for 12 in a frugal fourover spell to help clinch the win.
Centrals’ reply petered out at 106 for nine. Anlo van Deventer topscored with 33.
Northern Districts mounted less of a challenge. The Sparks batted first and reached 125 for seven.
Kasperek was to the fore again with 40. She shared in a valuable 62run partnership with Polly Inglis (23) for the fourth wicket.
Griffith knocked the stuffing out of the chase with a wicket in her first over and two in her next.
Felicity LeydonDavis (16) and Kate Anderson (24) were the only Northern batsmen to reach double figures as the side collapsed to be all out for a paltry 68.
Kasperek nabbed two for 12 again and can be well pleased with her day’s work.
Northern Districts beat Wellington by four wickets earlier in the day despite White Ferns legspinner Amelia Kerr taking four for four.
Wellington bounced back with a tense tworun win against Auckland, which earlier beat Canterbury in another close game.
In the other match, Canterbury dispatched Central Districts by seven wickets.
Otago is the only undefeated team and leads the standings with 10 points. Kasperek is the leading scorer with 94 runs in two games.