Sparks fail to fire in disappointing opener

THE Otago Sparks have made a disappointing start to the defence of their twenty20 title.

The defending champions restricted Auckland to 120 for seven but were unable to mount a serious challenge with the bat at Melville Park yesterday evening.

Key batsmen Katey Martin (6) and Leigh Kasperek (9) could not get going, while White Ferns captain Suzie Bates got set but was undone on 16.

Morna Nielsen scored 20 and Beth Langston topscored at No 8 with 21 from 18 balls.

But the Sparks could only muster 89 and lost by 31 runs.

Arlene Kelly, Holly Huddleston and Bella Armstrong claimed two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Auckland made a bright start with the bat through opener Anna Peterson, who whacked three fours in a brief innings of 24 runs.

Captain Maddy Green stroked 28 from 35 but the home side did not build a substantial partnership together and had to settle for a middling total.

Bates and Kasperek proved difficult to get away. Kasperek took one for 18, while Bates snaffled two for 18 and also ran out Green.

In the other games, Canterbury was upset at Hagley Oval by Northern Districts.

The home side posted 100 for eight with Amy Satterthwaite leading the way with 43 from 39 deliveries.

But some poor running between the wickets put the brakes on the innings.

Northern cruised to a

six wicket win with the best part of two overs to spare.

At Donnelly Park in Levin, Wellington pasted Central Districts by eight wickets. Jess Kerr starred with four for 13 to help dismiss Central for a paltry 65. Wellington ran down that target in 8.2 overs, with Rachel Priest whacking 29 from 20 deliveries to secure an early finish.