Record before rain for Hinds
Central Hinds duo Jess Watkin and Natalie Dodd blasted the highest opening partnership in New Zealand one-day women’s cricket before the clash against Wellington was rained out.
After winning the toss and electing to bat at Karori Park, Watkin and Dodd put on 216 for the first wicket as the visitors made 260-3 in 40 overs.
Watkin, who was left off the White Ferns contracted list this year, gave a reminder of her big-hitting talent with 158 off just 124 balls.
The scintillating knock included 17 fours and three sixes while Dodd provided the perfect foil, scoring 75 off 100 deliveries with three boundaries.
The partnership surpassed the previous record of 199 set by Elizabeth Scurr and Paula Flannery for Otago in 2004-05.
With the match already reduced due to poor weather, Wellington (16-0) got through less than three overs of the run chase before the rain set in and the contest was called off.
Central beat the Blaze by 44 runs on Saturday, where Dodd also starred with 73.
In the other Hallyburton Johnstone Shield games, the Northern Spirit made it two from two against Otago over the weekend in thrilling fashion.
After winning by nine wickets on Saturday, Northern were pushed to the limit yesterday as they snuck home on the final ball with just one wicket to spare.
Set 272 to win, the visitors looked to be cruising when they drew level in the penultimate over, thanks in large part to Kate Anderson’s 102.
However, a hat-trick by Hayley Jensen, who finished with 5-40 after top-scoring for the Sparks with 83, left Northern on the brink of a remarkable collapse before Carolyn Esterhuizen secured the winning run.
Auckland also completed the double over Canterbury with a three-wicket win at Eden Park.
An unbeaten Frances Mackay (112*) century powered the Magicians to 220-7, which the Hearts chased down with 16 balls left.