Satterthwaite to stay at helm
Amy Satterthwaite will continue to lead the Canterbury Magicians women’s cricket team through what coach Gary Stead describes as the important part of the season over the next week.
‘‘There’s six games of cricket in the next eight days so it’s sort of the busy time, but probably the important time for them as well,’’ he said.
Three weeks after the Magicians were first in action, against Northern Districts, they face a triple-header of sorts. They will meet Wellington Blaze at QE II’s Village Green over the next three days, with a Twenty20 game today followed by two State League one-day games.
After two days off, the league champions will repeat the scenario next week on the same ground against Central Districts.
Stead said that the originally named captain, Haidee Tiffen, had difficulties with a virus she could not shake, and Satterthwaite had been in charge for the ND games.
‘‘Part of the reason was to give her (Tiffen) the opportunity to have a break off the field as well, so Amy will captain this next lot of games as well.’’
Tiffen went well with the bat in the first two league games, making 46 not out and 68, but spent half the time watching from the sideline to keep her energy levels up.
The captaincy would be reviewed after the next six games, when Tiffen’s health would be assessed again.
Meanwhile, Stead was hopeful the Magicians could carry on their winning league form, but said they would not be taking last year’s finalist, Wellington, at all lightly.
‘‘They’ve obviously got some players that have performed well consistently over the last few years. Every game’s going to be a challenge.’’
Wellington would be without one of its White Ferns, 18-year-old allrounder Sophie Devine, and Stead acknowledged that helped the cause of her new team, Canterbury.
‘‘She’s a class player and I’m sure she’s looking forward to showing her ex-team what it’s like to play down here,’’ Stead said.
The full squad of 13 would be taken into the Wellington games, with St Albans opener Janet Brehaut joining the 12 players who went up to Mount Maunganui three weeks ago. Stead said they would all play at some stage over the three days.
He was expecting a typically good QE II wicket. ‘‘I’m sure they’ll be run-laden. Hopefully there’ll be a wee bit of bounce in there for the girls as well.’’