2023/24 HALLYBURTON JOHNSTONE SHIELD
Round 3
Saturday, 25 November 2023
Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
OTAGO SPARKS defeated CANTERBURY MAGICIANS by 88 runs
Selected milestones:
Eden Carson 50 List A career wickets
Eden Carson | PHOTOSPORT
They were last year's runner-up, but the new season hadn't got off to an ideal start for the Canterbury Magicians who, just like their men's team, had been hampered by a raft of injuries at the start of the summer.
Heading into the third round of the HBJ, they were still hunting their first win, and they'd still be in that position at the close of their first home match of the season, out in the country.
Meanwhile, the Otago Sparks were eyeing up a big opportunity to pile pressure on their southern rivals, despite losing the toss and being sent in at Mainpower Oval.
Polly Inglis's patient 73 from 110 deliveries was the key to a good start as she combined with Caitlin Blakely (42) for a 77-run fourth-wicket stand, then recombined with PJ Watkins (29) to pile on a further 68 for the sixth wicket.
Despite regular wickets and some tidy work from Kate Anderson - back from injury for her first trot of the season; Frankie Mackay, dangerwoman Lea Tahuhu (3/37) and Nicola Clayton, the Sparks pushed their total up over the 200-mark before being bowled out in the last over for 217.
It was a total one might have expected the Magicians to handle with ease, given a good and experienced line-up, but Sparks gem Eden Carson (3/17) had other plans for their top order.
The spinner removed three of the top five, leaving Frankie McKay to fight through the tatters of the innings with her lone hand of 61.
No one else could find more than 14 runs in support, though, as Gemma Adams (3/21) did the tidying up to help seal Otago's 88-run win.
They'd bowled out the Magicians for just 129, picking up a bonus point for the big win.
